DATELINE ADDIS ABABA: Tens of thousands of Ethiopians gathered at the Meskel Square in the capital of Addis Ababa to denounce foreign interference and pressure in the country’s internal affairs.

Speaking to the crowd, Addis Ababa City Mayor Adanech Abiebi stressed that neither the multifaceted external pressure nor ongoing attack by rebels would deter Ethiopians from realizing the national development aspirations, Xinhua news agency reported.

The demonstration mainly aimed to showcase popular support for the national call made by the Ethiopian government to defend the country from what it described as “internal and external enemies of the country,” in particular the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and its allies. According to Abiebi, the hidden target of ongoing foreign interference and multifaceted external pressure on the East African country is aimed at subjugating the Ethiopian state to foreign interests.

The Mayor stressed that “Ethiopians will undoubtedly avert any interference and pressure standing together in unity.” The public demonstration came days after the Ethiopian House of People’s Representatives (HoPR) endorsed a six-month nationwide state of emergency rule amid expanding conflict in the northern part of the country. The decision to impose the state of emergency rule also came in line with the national call to support the Ethiopian Army in the ongoing fighting against forces loyal to the TPLF, including the call to veteran members of the Ethiopian Army to fight alongside the Ethiopian Defence forces.