The Ethiopian government has placed a bounty of 10million Birr ($260,000) on leaders of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Gebremichael Debretsion, leader of the TPLF and others have been at loggerheads with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed over the postponement of elections which were due for August 2020.
They accuse Abiy Ahmed of holding office illegitimately and extending his term unlawfully.
The TPLF attacked some state properties on the 4th of November. Reprisal attacks from the Ethiopian government led to the capture of Tigray and the death of thousands of people.
At least 95,000 people were granted refuge in Sudan during the conflict, which gained international attention. More than a million people also fled their homes during the period.
On the 28th of November, Ethiopian forces captured Mekelle in a “final offensive”. All through the battle, Gebremichael was in hiding as he accused the national government of abusing civilians and looting from them.
Worried about the threats he can pose, Addis Ababa, a powerful state in the Horn of Africa, and the host of the African Union, placed a bounty on the Army General’s head.
The incentive was announced by state broadcasting station, EBC.
Verification of information has been an arduous task since the battle began, as communication lines were cut in Mekelle, the Tigrayan capital.
The lines were restored earlier this week as citizens went back to their normal lives even though there are fears of a comeback by the TPLF forces.