Martin Plaut Profile
Martin Plaut

@martinplaut

355,772
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1,126
Following
3,116
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South Africa, the Horn of Africa. Fellow, Institute of Commonwealth Studies. Made in 🇿🇦🇪🇺🇬🇧

London
Joined August 2010
Don't wanna be here? Send us removal request.
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@martinplaut
Martin Plaut
4 years
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Martin Plaut
1 year
Born in Cape Town I am a proud African and I have spent my life trying to help understand my native continent. Here are some of the books I have worked on
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Martin Plaut
3 years
I am truly humbled to have 130,000 people follow me. I thank you all. And promise to do all I can to bring you accurate information
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Dr. Debretsion and other top leadership of the Government of Tigray have returned to Mekelle and seen singing the National Anthem of Tigray, probably in a stadium.
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3 years
Tigray Media House is back on satellite
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3 years
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Celebrations in Mekelle as TDF takes city
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Tigray Reports circulating that Debretsion and Getachew have been killed or captured are untrue. An international source has spoken with them this morning and they are alive and not taken by Ethiopian or Eritrean forces.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
I am delighted and humbled to now have 100,000 people who follow me. It is a responsibility, which I take very seriously. My focus will remain on Africa - the Horn of Africa and Southern Africa in particular. Apologies in advance for any mistakes that I make
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The war in Tigray summed up in one image
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Trafalgar Square in the heart of London becomes a sea of red and yellow for Tigray
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Tigray TDF captures #Mekelle and I understand the jubilation but what about northern Tigray? What of the people of #Irob ? What of the other border towns and villages under Eritrean troops? What about the West? Let’s not forget their plight
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Isaias Afwerki continues to needlessly dispose of #Eritrean lives in senseless wars, that only he deems necessary. Isaias must be stopped. The UN and the US must act now. @SecBlinken @JoeBiden @KamalaHarris @IntlCrimCourt #IsaiastoICC #AbiytoICC #EritreantroopsoutOfTigray
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Breaking : #Tigray Senior Tigrayan source says another four divisions of the ENDF have been defeated by TDF around Abi Adi. This is being described as a "game changer"
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Tigrayan leader, Getachew Reda, in conversation with Kjetil Tronvoll described PM Abiy' statement that Eritrean troops would withdraw from Tigray as "a ploy for international consumption only."
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Tigray Gen. Tsadkan Gebretensae in a phone call on Friday: Engagement on the road from Chercher to Mille inside Afar region was successful. The TDF can move swiftly to control the Addis Ababa-Djibouti road and will be in a position to accept humanitarian assistance directly.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
I have received this photograph which - I am told - shows women from Raya district greeting General Abraha - TDF commander of the Southern Front. I am told that the town of #Alamata is now in Tigrayan hands
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report: some of the cities/areas liberated by TDF : Adwa Axum May Mekden Adi Guyem Freweyni Samre Gijet Negash Agula Idaga Hamus Hagere Selam Abi Addi Ambalage Hiwane Enda Medhane Alam May Keyih Shire Mehoni Maychew Wukro Adigrat Raya Humera Alamata
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Martin Plaut
3 years
According to diplomatic sources, U.S. Secretary of State Blinken spoke to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy twice and told him that Eritrean and Amhara forces must be withdrawn from Tigray within 72 hours.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report of hate speech and mass arrest of #Tigrayans in Addis Ababa. Specially in 22 area. Many arrested by police & taken to unknown location. Youth & business owners targeted - labelled 'traitors' and 'agents of junta'. Ethnic profiling is a scourge
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3 years
Report that the Tigrayan town of Sheraro is now in TDF hands.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
I remember the “cockroach” messages that led to the Rwandan genocide. Now “cancer” - used by PM Abiy - is being used against Tigrayans
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Martin Plaut
3 years
This photograph - from a video from the Tigray Defence Forces - shows thousands of Ethiopian prisoners of war. Good to see them alive and apparently well. A huge responsibility. #Tigray
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The world can’t stay silent and passive
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3 years
BBC TV now running full story on the #Tigray atrocity by Ethiopian military at #Mahibere Diego. Also on BBC radio and online.
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Martin Plaut
2 years
As I make my breakfast I think of the people of #Tigray trapped by the #Ethiopian and #Eritrean blockade. Food running out. Children fainting from hunger at school. The old quietly starving. I ask myself what I can do to help end this tragedy
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Ethiopia's #Tigray crisis: Why is the BBC calling the elected government “rebels”? This is a value judgment. They were elected. This is adopting the government’s perspective in this conflict
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Tigray I hear that a European Union delegation is flying to Mekelle tomorrow at the invitation of Eth MoFA. They are due to be visiting a hospital and an IDP camp. I hope they manage to collect evidence and can then make public what they see and hear.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report that Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, has deployed 6 additional mechanized military divisions in the southern part of Tigray, Samre. He has also deployed 4000 troops in the outskirts of Bizet and Mugulat and more than 2000 troops around Feresmay.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Ethiopia - reports that the Tigray Defences Forces have taken the town of Dessie and that there's heavy fighting around Chifra. If accurate then Prime Minister Abiy's gamble in launching another offensive against the Tigrayans has blown up in his face
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Martin Plaut
3 years
I am honoured and (frankly) astonished to have over 200,000 people following this Twitter feed. I can only say how humbled this makes me feel. I appreciate your support and will do all I can to report accurately, while accepting that any author makes mistakes! Thank you
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Genet Reda Kahsay, the younger sister of Getachew Reda, spokesman for the Tigray government, was abducted by eight gunmen at 6.00 am this morning from her home in Addis Ababa. She has no political role and her abduction is being seen as purely revenge for her brother's role
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Photos - #Tigray - TDF enters Mai Tsebri after fighting in the area. Welcomed by local people
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Martin Plaut
3 years
All Ethiopian and Eritrean troops are reported to have withdrawn from #Mekelle . What’s next?
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1 year
I’m delighted to have copies of my book with Sarah Vaughan. Finally published!
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Martin Plaut
3 years
PM Abiy is the worst Prime Minister of the year - official
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3 years
Anyone have a photograph of PM Abiy on the battlefield? I have seen nothing yet...
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Martin Plaut
2 years
The war in #Ethiopia intensifies with Ethiopian and Eritrean forces attacking #Tigray along southern,western & north-western fronts. PM Abiy throwing in everything he can, with Ethiopian Airlines transporting troops and weapons. So many will die. Yet only talks can end this war
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Fresh report of a Tigrayan offensive to cut Djibouti-Addis road
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3 years
For a week I will only do limited social media. But I haven’t forgotten anyone. You are in my thoughts
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3 years
Tigray Defence Forces report: Have conducted more than 15 insurgent operations and ambushes killing and wounding more than 12,535 enemy combatants. Of these, 5795 have been killed and the rest wounded.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#ValentinesDay roses from a war zone? No thanks. Ethiopia is fighting a vicious war in Tigray. Make sure your roses don't come from Ethiopia
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Martin Plaut
2 years
#Tigray demonstration in Brussels at #EUAUSummit calls for EU leaders to halt their support for African dictators - surely not a big ask?
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Tigrayan regional forces have attacked an Ethiopian government logistical operations centre in the Tigray capital, Mekelle. A tank was destroyed in the fighting. The attack came on the eve of a European Union delegation visit to Mekelle - the first such visit since the war began
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Join the campaign! 24 Hours for Tigray
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Lalibella: strong report that the #TDF has now taken the historic town
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Martin Plaut
3 years
How is it possible that someone who can take such controversial stand on the tragic war in Tigray is given a starring role in a film? Surely wrong for #TiffanyHaddish to get this part
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Dedebit Media reports that there was fierce fighting in Gerhu Sirnay, bordering Eritrea, where Tigrayan forces mounted a major offensive on EDF. TDF is claimed to have scored a huge victory resulting in deaths of thousands of Eritrean soldiers and capturing ammunition
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The flag of Tigray flying over the famous lions of Trafalgar Square in central London
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report: Eritrean Troops engaging in a mass killing people Selekleka, Tigray. Hearing 300+ civilians rounded up and taken by Eritreans to May-Hargets area in Selekleka, some 30km east of Shire. Could be another civilian massacre
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report: Eye witness say over 20 trucks carrying food and aid, sent by the international community via Djibouti to the 4.5 million of people in Tigray, were instead distributed to local people in the Afar region
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The teddy bear protest by #Tigrayan children reaches Washington. They took their toys to the headquarters of #USAID - calling for President Biden not to allow their families to starve. Then they went to the Norwegian embassy with their toys and messages
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Martin Plaut
3 years
In 1980s, drought, conflict and government denial contributed to the famine in #Tigray , killing over 1 million people. History is repeating itself under @AbiyAhmedAli , who orchestrated #TigrayGenocide . We cannot let this happen in 2021. @WFP #BidenActNow . @JoeBiden
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Ethiopia's official news agency announces "Hands off Ethiopia" campaign. Surely a bit desperate? Why not just stop the war in Tigray, end the presence of foreign troops on Ethiopian soil and allow aid to the starving?
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Martin Plaut
2 years
Tigray monk - a world heritage under threat
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Flags of Tigray and Eritrea fly proudly together as both unite against the war in Tigray
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Tigray : A call for the Nobel Prize Committee to take responsibility for awarding the Peace Prize to Ethiopia's PM Abiy: take a stand and resign as a group
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Martin Plaut
3 years
As the world watches Ethiopians vote another story unfolds in Tigray. Claims that Tigray army has encircled Mekelle from 3 sides from a distance; ENDF units airlifted into Mekelle unable to move to Adigrat or the south. The battles continuing. Agulae said to have fallen to TDF
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Martin Plaut
3 years
It's happened before...please let it not be repeated
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report from Eritrean opposition sources: "2 Eritrean divisions (11th and 22nd) along with several Ethiopian contingents have been completely surrounded by TDF around Dessie"
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Martin Plaut
4 years
The Catholic Church in Eritrea has asked its faithful not to purchase any of the things coming from Tigray after the widespread looting. Goods are being stored just outside of Asmara at Ashagolgol, a military area
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The Ethiopian government has decided to move more than 6000 Internally displaced people from Axum university to the prison centre in Shite in just two days without any preparations.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
One thing appears certain in the war in #Tigray : it was a joint strategy by PM Abiy and President Isaias. They are in this together and the defeat in #Mekelle is a blow to them both. What will follow as their armies retreat, bloodied, from the battlefield?
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Tekeze River Bridge north of May Tesbre destroyed this morning at 0730 hrs
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Martin Plaut
2 years
One thing is clear: Ethiopia’s sovereignty has been compromised. Eritrean troops are deep inside Ethiopia. They are killing Ethiopian citizens. What is the Ethiopian Prime Minister doing? Absolutely nothing. Why?
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Congratulations to the #Tigrayan community in Norway who brought the story of their people so forcefully home at the #NobelPeacePrize ceremony! Their people are suffering, but their voices were heard
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Report from #Mekelle that rape victims have been moved from the Ayder hospital. Not clear why
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Martin Plaut
3 years
A call to action in Rome!
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Martin Plaut
2 years
The Tigrayan plane the Ethiopian military say they shot down flying weapons in from Sudan. Ask yourself how many weapons a light aircraft like this could carry.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The Tigray leader Debretsion Gebremichael gives his first interview for weeks. Describes the suffering of the people of Tigray, especially women, and the determination to fight on
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Sometimes flying passengers. Sometimes flying troops and weapons into the #Tigray war zone. #flyethiopian
@flyethiopian
Ethiopian Airlines
3 years
Thank you for flying with us! #flyethiopian
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Martin Plaut
2 years
Demonstration at Heathrow Airport UAE against drones being supplied to the Ethiopian government to attack #Tigray
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Oromo Liberation Front say they have “concrete evidence” of Eritrean troops fighting in Oromia
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Martin Plaut
3 years
How does one explain the collapse of the Ethiopian and Eritrean armies in the face of the Tigrayan onslaught in June? Still something of a mystery. But here’s a thought: Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “In war, the moral is to the physical as three is to one.”
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Martin Plaut
2 years
This is #Tigray . In red: areas that can’t be reached by aid agencies. This is a siege or blockade. It’s designed to wipe out the population. The old and very young die first. Horrific, painful deaths. This is the policy of the #Ethiopian and #Eritrean governments
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Tigray: Report of a massacre of close to 200 in town of Esret, between Gijet and Yechila by Ethiopian and Eritrean troops. A 92 year old nun, children and a whole family said to have been killed. Other atrocities in area of Gijet following fighting with Tigrayan forces
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Breaking : #Tigray Senior Tigrayan source says another four divisions of the ENDF have been by TDF around Abi Adi. This is being described as a "game changer"
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Martin Plaut
4 years
Report: Maryam Tsiyon Church in Axum has been attacked. Locals fear the aim is to take the Ark of Covenant to Addis Ababa. As many as 750 hiding in the Church were taken outside and shot in the square.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Reports that Tigray army inflicting serious reverses on the Ethiopian military in what TDF calls "operation Alula Abanega". Large numbers of ENDF reported killed or captured, including senior officers. Sources suggest as many as 15,000 troops put out of action. To be confirmed
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Just doing my job. But thank you
@reda_getachew
Getachew K Reda
3 years
Thank you #MartinPlaut for taking the pain to set the record straight.
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Breaking:Reports of offensives against #Tigray on several fronts. Ethiopian and Eritrean forces said to be involved. Details need confirmation
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The London demonstration for Tigray was inspiring!
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Martin Plaut
4 months
The Eritrean diaspora is fighting back against transnational repression from their government back home!
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Martin Plaut
3 years
The TDF completed a three-day battle and destroyed divisions of the ENDF in the Kobbo-Weldiya area and also destroyed Presidential Guard forces “The balance of forces is now completely in our favor. We are in a position to march into Addis Ababa with no real opposition.”
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Martin Plaut
3 years
BREAKING: Turkish drones reportedly being constructed in Addis
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Tigray leader, Debretsion Gebremichael: "Our enemies have mobilized to destroy us as a people"...But TDF has been restructured into a larger force and is planning "a new chapter," i.e preparing more aggressive engagements beyond insurgency. 12/06/21
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Ethiopia : Kibrom Berhe, a member of the leadership of the National Congress of Great Tigray Party, #Baytona , was attacked in Addis Ababa, while drinking tea with friends after attending a hearing. He was hit on the head and a friend arrested by 5 gunmen
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Norwegian children join the protest: don't award the #NobelPeacePrize while children in #Tigray starve!
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Martin Plaut
3 years
#Report : Eye witnesses are reporting Eritrean & Ethiopian forces attacking Hawzen town & its environs - home to over 100, 000 people with rockets, missiles and heavy artilleries right now. Many children & other civilians have been killed
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Reports that Ethiopian government has closed its embassies in Washington, Brussels, Paris and Berlin, Canberra, the Hague and Stockholm on the orders of PM Abiy. Ethiopia turning in on itself? Nairobi and Cairo open for the moment, but for how long?
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Martin Plaut
4 months
Eritrean demonstrators march through London calling for justice. “We are asylum seekers!”
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Martin Plaut
2 years
Congratulations to the Eritrean youths who protested outside the London embassy. They didn’t take the dictatorship back home. Why should they accept the long arm of the dictatorship in Britain? They were bold but peaceful. Respect ✊
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Martin Plaut
3 years
Is independence from Ethiopia the TPLF’s endgame in Tigray? Getachew Reda says he can't decide outcome of the war: it's up to the Tigrayan people. "I am not ruling out an independent state - it's probably the most viable option."
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