The government of Tigray has accused Ethiopia’s Abiy Ahmed Ali and the country’s armed forces of genocide.
An airstrike on Friday hit a kindergarten in the northern Tigray region, killing more than seven people, including children and medics.
A statement by Kassa Gebremichael regretted that terror was unleashed on innocent civilians in Mekelle.
“This vicious regime has outdone itself with today’s deliberate targeting of a children’s building, housing a playground as well as a kindergarten.”
The ex-deputy head of mission at the Ethiopian Embassy in Moscow said the “cruelty” confirmed “state-sanctioned terrorism” has become Abiy’s characteristic.
Gebremichael said the “sadistic assault” literally cut bodies into pieces, adding that “the butchers of Addis have revealed their true colors”.
The official expressed sadness that the affected children will no longer be alive to dream big and aspire to a life not defined by death and destruction.
The statement accused some influential members of the international community of ignoring Ethiopia’s actions and excesses.
It said they urge both sides to cease hostilities, but “the Abiy regime has done everything to starve and bomb the people of Tigray into submission.”
The reaction stressed that foreign countries have failed the moral test of humanity by their “callous indifference” and complicity in the “regime’s perpetual chokehold”.
Gebremichael insists the international community indulge Abiy government’s “passion for ill-advised adventures” which led to a large-scale offensive.
“Since this latest massive offensive is unraveling in ways beyond the regime’s expectations, it is now lashing out against innocent Tigrayans.”
The government added that the people of Tigray are resilient and capable of ensuring their own freedom through their strength.
The statement further vowed that “the latest slaughter” of citizens won’t stop the collective determination for survival.
