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Ethiopia has issued arrest warrants for more than 40 former senior military officials in connection with the conflict in the troubled North Tigray region.
This is according to a statement issued by the Federal Police Commission on Friday night.
Major General Tsadkan Gebretensay, a former chief of staff of the country’s armed defense forces, is among the senior military officers whose arrest warrants were issued.
Police said the arrest warrant was issued against at least 40 former Ethiopian air forces, defense forces and police on suspicion of treason and kidnapping of members of the defense forces and federal police who were based in Tigray.
More than 1,000 members of the Northern Command Force were abducted by the TPLF on the night of November 4 after they were invited to a dinner by the former insurgent group turned regional ruling party.
Citing the result of their investigations, the police said that Colonel Berhe WoldeMichael and Commissioner Yehdego Seyoum were the two main members of the TPLF who coordinated and led the kidnapping of members of the northern commando forces and federal police in the region.
Some 1,000 officers who had been taken hostage by the TPLF forces were released a few days ago.
The statement further said that the 40 former military officers are suspected of conspiring to carry out an attack in the country and thus derail the constitution.
He added that they were former members of the national defense who betrayed the army or retired soldiers.
Federal police added that a federal team made up of commandos and crime investigation team will begin a hunt in Tigray’s capital, Mekelle, in an attempt to arrest all the suspects.
Last month, the Federal Police Commission issued an arrest warrant for 76 generals, high-ranking military officers and junior officers on suspicion of “treason and for collaboration with the TPLF.”
Prior to the recent arrest warrants against military and police officers, an Ethiopian court had issued arrest warrants for TPLF leaders who are suspected of serious crimes.
Among the TPLF leaders placed in police custody so far are former Federation Chamber Speaker Keria Ibrahim and former Tigray Regional State Deputy Chief of Staff Addis Alem Balema, who appeared in court for the first once a few days ago.
Interim cabinet
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Meanwhile, the newly elected executive director of the regional state of Tigray, Mulu Nega, told local reporters on Saturday that an interim cabinet will soon be operational.
He also ordered government employees to resume work starting Monday.
“If a government employee does not return to work as of Monday, they will be considered to have voluntarily resigned,” he said.
The companies were also told to resume operations immediately.
He warned that the interim administration will take action against companies that do not comply.
House to house search
The Tigray CEO also urged people to return any weapons they may have to the regional government.
He urged gun owners to hand them over before Tuesday.
“There will be a house-to-house search after Tuesday. Anyone found holding a weapon during the search will be held responsible,” he said.
