More than 10,000 people protested the economic and security sanctions imposed by the United States on Ethiopia during the conflict in Tigri.

Ethiopian pro-government demonstrators condemn the U.S. Impose restrictions The authorities organized a large-scale rally to express their assistance to the Tigri conflict and to show their support for their position.

More than 10,000 people attended the rally on Sunday, some of whom wrote banners in English, Arabic and Amharic. A banner at the Addis Ababa Stadium declared: “Ethiopia does not need guards”, while others condemned “Western intervention.”

I also saw placards that read “Fill the Dam”, referring to the large Nile dams opposed by Egypt and Sudan.

“We will never bend our knees. The prerequisites and travel restrictions of the United States and its allies are totally unacceptable. Addis Ababa Mayor Adanech Abebe said at a rally organized by the Ministry of Youth .

The demonstrations were larger than typical pro-government gatherings, and there were few public criticisms of the United States.

Ethiopia is facing increasing international pressure due to the conflict in its northern Tigri region. The country and neighboring Eritrea sent troops last year to overthrow regional authorities.

A week ago, the United States restricted economic and security assistance to Ethiopia during the conflict. Washington also stated that it will ban current or former Ethiopian or Eritrean officials who it believes are responsible for the crisis.

The crisis began in November after Ethiopia accused the former leader of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front of ordering an attack on Ethiopian military bases in the region.

The Ethiopian leader, Prime Minister Abi Ahmed, quickly overthrew the task force from the main town, but it was reported that fighting took place throughout Tigri.

Atrocities include gang rapes, extrajudicial executions and deportations Part of violence According to victims, witnesses, local authorities and aid groups, in Tigray. It is estimated that thousands of people have died.

The war displaced more than 2 million people.

Interference in “internal affairs”

Abbey Government Condemned U.S. sanctions As “the determination to interfere in our internal affairs,” and warned that Addis Ababa may be forced to reassess bilateral relations with Washington.

Nejash Sheba is a 23-year-old Addis Ababa businessman and a member of the Abiy Prosperity Party. He told Reuters that local officials instructed him to organize people in the area and had brought 100 people to the rally.

Pro-government demonstrators in Addis Ababa carry the Ethiopian flag [Tiksa Negeri/Reuters]

“I am here to show my support for the Welfare Party and to condemn the restrictions imposed by the United States on Ethiopia.”

$4 billion top-up Great Ethiopian Renaissance Dam It also caused international disputes.

Ethiopia stated that the power development of the dam is necessary for its economic development. Sudan and Egypt said this violated their rights to the lower Nile waters.