Ethiopia’s government has ordered the expulsion of seven senior United Nations officials from the country for “meddling” in its internal affairs.
The move came on Thursday after the humanitarian workers warned that people in the northern region of Tigray were being starved to death due to a government blockade of food aid.
More than a million people are said to be starving in the world’s worst man-made famine.
The officials, who were given 72 hours to leave the country, were in charge of overseeing the international aid operation.
Ethiopia has been consumed by civil war for almost a year since the Tigrayan region was invaded by Ethiopian and Eritrean troops and militia of the Amhara ethnic group. However, the Tigrayans have fought back and achieved notable victories.
The two sides are currently in a stalemate but Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has warned of an offensive once the fighting season resumes in the coming month.
For weeks, the Ethiopian government has been systematically blocking humanitarian relief from reaching Tigray. Sources said the expulsion of the UN officials means there will be no international eyes on the ground when the famine hits in full force.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was “shocked” by the expulsion.
Meanwhile, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said the US will impose sanctions unless there is “significant progress”.
