Friday, July 17, 2026

U.S. advises citizens to leave Ethiopia as tension escalates

Tigray rebels are threatening to take over Addis by any means possible, including via violence.

• November 6, 2021
U.S Secretary of States Antony Blinken
U.S Secretary of States Antony Blinken (Credit: Financial Times)

Following growing concerns over rising insecurity in Ethiopia, the United States government has advised its citizens resident in Addis Ababa to leave the country as soon as they can.

The US government issued the advice via their website on Friday evening. 

This is coming on the heels of threats by anti-government rebels to march to Addis Ababa where they may unleash violence.

Reacting to the threats, the U.S. warned “The security environment in Ethiopia is very fluid. We advise U.S. citizens who are in Ethiopia to leave the country as soon as possible,” 

The northern Africa nation has seen a year-long breakout of war between rebels in the Tigray region and the national government led by President Abiy Ahmed.

The Gazette on Sunday reported that Facebook took down a post by Mr Ahmed urging citizens to kill and bury the rebels.

Mr Ahmed had asked citizens to take up arms to protect their neighborhoods if the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) advanced on the capital, Addis Ababa.

The situation in Addis Ababa has become more volatile since Mr Ahmed’s encouraging statements asking government supporters to arm themselves.

Despite warnings from the U.S. government to Tigray rebels to desist from taking over the capital, the rebels are determined to overthrow Mr Ahmed’s government by all means.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Collage of TVs

Showbiz

Five things Nigerians need to know about FG’s FreeTV

The federal government has launched FreeTV, a subscription-free digital television platform designed to expand access to television services for millions of Nigerians.

Du Plessis, Usman

Hot news Home top

South Africa’s Du Plessis, Nigeria’s Usman face off in UFC showdown in Oklahoma

The middleweight main event takes place at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Fight Night in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.

Gold bars

Africa

UK sanctions 11 people, entities linked to illicit gold networks fuelling Sudan’s war

London said the sanctions are intended to disrupt networks using Sudan’s gold trade to finance the conflict.

Scene of the incident

Africa

Eleven children killed, 19 injured in Algeria orphanage fire

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune described the tragedy as a huge loss. 

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State

Heading 2

Kano empowers 1,900 butchers, to establish cottage industry hubs

He said the government had already made provision for the establishment of the hubs in the 2026 budget. 

IG Olatunji Disu

Heading 3

2027 Elections: Police commence recovery of illegal arms nationwide

Mr Kokumo said the centre had destroyed more than 16,000 unserviceable weapons since its inception.