There is no systematic arrest in Ethiopia, media working to create hysteria: MFA State Minister

Addis Ababa, November 12, 2021 (FBC) – In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Horn of Africa, State Minister of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Redwan Hussien refuted reports of some media as there is a systematic arrest in Addis Ababa and other parts of the country.

“There is no systematic arrest. Seeing the state of emergency is actually started by the government then people are vigilant. So citizens are watching out in neighborhoods and each other for possible attacks” he underlined.

So people might inform the police, if they see something unusual or something amiss, the police might have arrested some individuals, I cannot rule out that.

“If not be systematic, it cannot be from one ethnic group, it would be from all walks of life, if there is any kind of information tip for the police. But if the police don’t have adequate reason to suspect then people will be released”

Regarding the alleged detention of UN personnel and WFP drivers by the Ethiopian government, Redwan said that suspects are not arrested just because working for any UN institutions.

“Since we are in conflict situation, many people are being attacked. Atrocities are being committed here and there and there are a number of actors in this horrific situation” he noted.

Suspects are not being arrested haphazardly, and then police must do their job, but we will also look into the process if there are any irregularities and that must be addressed.

The arrest is not because suspects are loading the humanitarian items and food to people in need. If that is so there are more than 800 tracks which are still held by the TPLF and now carrying combatants in Wollo and Afar fronts.

But, he said, entities that are forcing allegations to the Ethiopians government are not complaining about the 800 trucks held by TPLF in Tigray, he added.

Some 300 trucks are currently allowed to enter Tigray and flights are allowed to Kombolcha and Lalibela.

“Some UN agencies are not doing their job, but they are simply covering up atrocities against our citizens” Redwan said.

Concerning report of some international media as the conflict is nearing the capital, the State Minister said that: “The conflict has never come to the capital. But there is a concerted effort to concoct stories and twist factors into great hysteria, to force people to resign from the government and also to disorientate the government from focusing on the problems”

Such a report is very much hoax, that was very much concocted story, which was being run by some of the international media including CNN, New York Times Fox and BBC and Reuters.

The international media is saying this to create hysteria among Ethiopian people and the international community.