Netherlands warns its national from traveling to Ethiopia

CAIRO – 8 November 2021:  The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs has warned its nationals to remain in Ethiopia as a result of the current conflict in the north of the country.

Netherlands highlighted all cities in Ethiopia in the red-color-list, which means “do not travel.” As for the capital, Addis Ababa, it is still in the orange-list, which means that travel is ‘only for necessity’.

The Dutch Foreign Ministry called on its nationals not to stay in Ethiopia if there was ‘no urgent need to do so.’

On Sunday, Canada made a decision to withdraw families of embassy staff and non-essential employees as Tigray forces are advancing toward the capital, Addis Ababa.

Also, the Canadian embassy to Addis Ababa tweeted addressing expats, "If you are in Ethiopia, and your presence isn't essential, consider leaving if you can do so safely." The day before, it tweeted: "The security situation is deteriorating and evolving quickly. You should reevaluate whether your presence in the country is essential."

Tigray forces had captured two towns and have been advancing toward the capital so as now they lie 270 kilometers away from Addis Ababa.

The two towns are Dessie and Kombolcha, and both are located in the Amhara Region housing the largest ethnicity in Ethiopia. According to the Guardian, the former fell on October 31 while the latter was seized on November 1.

The conflict between Tigray and the federal government has been ongoing since November 1, 2020, as a result of the former's objection of the postponement of elections, and the marginalization of politicians affiliated to the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF), that used to be an integral part of the consecutive governments for decades.