Ethiopian PM urges civilians to join armed forces as war rages

Abiy Ahmed issues call for all eligible civilians to show your patriotism' amid fighting with Tigrayan forces

The Ethiopian prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has issued a call for all eligible civilians to join the armed forces as fighting rages in multiple regions of Africa's second-most populous nation.

Now is the right time for all capable Ethiopians who are of age to join the defence forces, special forces and militias and show your patriotism," Abiy's office said in a statement released less than two months after he declared a unilateral ceasefire against Tigrayan rebels.