US lawmaker who termed TPLF as ‘terrorist group’ that started Tigray crisis arrives in Addis Ababa

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Last week, Senator Jim Inhofe (Republican) of Oklahoma said the United States government should not treat the federal government of Ethiopia and the insurgent TPLF group equally because the former is democratically elected while the later initiated the conflict because it was no longer in power.

*Senator Jim Inhofe (left) walks with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as he arrives in Addis Ababa [Photo via Twitter]*

ADDIS ABABA – United States senator who said last week that the TPLF is a terrorist organization that initiated the Tigray crisis and should be arrested has arrived in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa in a trip in which he is being hailed as ‘friend to Ethiopians’ by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

Last week, Senator Jim Inhofe (Republican) of Oklahoma said the United States government should not treat the federal government of Ethiopia and the insurgent TPLF group equally because the former is democratically elected while the later initiated the conflict because it was no longer in power.

“… a regional party- TPLF- attacked a government military base. The government rightfully responded and the regional terrorist group is well equipped and has been fighting back in continuing the conflict for a long period of time now. That’s what’s going on right now, that’s the situation we find ourselves in,” he said on Thursday before the Senate.

“And that is why it is astounding to me that our government continues to treat this situation with both sides being equal when clearly they are not. One side is the democratically elected government and the other side is a disgruntled faction that is reacting with violence because they are no longer in power. It’s a terrorist group!” he stated.

Announcing his arrival in Ethiopia on Monday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomed the visiting United States Senator describing the Horn of African country as his second home and calling him friend of Ethiopia.

I welcome Senator Jim Inhofe @JimInhofe, a friend to Ethiopians, to his second home #Ethiopia,” Dr. Abiy wrote on his Twitter account.