Former Ethiopian Foreign Minister Gedu Andargachew has issued a blistering public response to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, accusing the leader of “complete fabrication” regarding the history of diplomatic missions to Eritrea during the Tigray war. In an open letter released on February 5, 2026, Gedu directly challenged statements made by the Prime Minister during a parliamentary session two days earlier, where Abiy had claimed he sent Gedu to Asmara to ensure the protection of civilians in the Tigray region. Gedu stated that he cannot serve as a witness for such a claim because the truth is fundamentally different, asserting that the Prime Minister’s remarks were a distortion intended to deflect moral and legal accountability.The former minister clarified that while he did travel to Eritrea in early 2021, his instructions were strictly focused on military coordination and the management of international pressure regarding human rights allegations. According to Gedu, the message he carried to President Isaias Afwerki was one of congratulations for joint military successes and a warning to remain vigilant against foreign actors seeking to document atrocities. He further alleged that when he suggested formally requesting the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory, the Prime Minister explicitly ordered him not to raise the issue under any circumstances.Gedu’s letter also detailed an alleged private meeting where he claims the Prime Minister expressed a desire to permanently “break” the Tigrayan people, contrasting sharply with the humanitarian image presented to Parliament. The former official characterized the Prime Minister’s current governance as being defined by a “mistaken belief that political survival requires perpetual conflict,” citing ongoing violence in the Amhara, Oromia, and Gambella regions as evidence of a systemic national crisis. As of Thursday evening, the Prime Minister’s Office has not issued a formal rebuttal to Gedu’s specific allegations or his description of the 2021 diplomatic mission.
