Nobel Peace Prize laureate Abiy Ahmed doesn’t like being called a warmonger.
The Ethiopian premier has his Attorney General Gedion Timotios out there telling the international media that his hand has been forced.
“Winning the Nobel Peace Prize doesn’t take away his responsibility as the Commander in Chief,” Timotios tells the BBC’s Hard Talk.
Ahmed is dealing with rebels bent on seizing weapons and taking military control of the north Ethiopia.
“No government anywhere in the world could accept that,” he says.
Pressed on the declaration from Ahmed’s military that there would be no mercy for the people of the Tigray capital Mek’ele, now facing its final onslaught, Timotios attributes this to a Colonel of the line who was actually referring to the leadership of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Forces.
The harsh reality is that there is a raft of frighteningly bellicose statements out there from Ahmed and his forces.
There is also his admonition to the United Nations, the European Union and the African Union, who have expressed their fear of growing conflict in the Horn of Africa not to interfere.
Evidently Ahmed feels it is his personal responsibility to restore order in Ethiopia.
Anyone seeking peace and stability rather than retribution and revenge would surely appreciate the assistance of the paramount regional and international organisations.
It is not too late.