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Conflict in Ethiopia; Coronavirus Pandemic; Mexico Shooting; Climate Crisis; Eco-Protection; Ethiopian PM's Role in the Civil War; Benin Bronzes Coming Home. Aired 1-1:45a ET

Aired November 05, 2021 - 01:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

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[01:00:23]

MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, and welcome to our viewers joining us from all around the world. I'm Michael Holmes. This is CNN Newsroom. Coming up this hour. Governments across the globe calling for a de-escalation in Ethiopia as opposition groups for me bigger, stronger force. The latest developments as rebels edge closer to the Capitol.

The terrifying moment poolside tourists in Mexico were met with the sounds of gunfire how the hotel kept their guests safe.

And priceless treasures stolen more than a century ago. Nigeria wants its artifacts back but that's not as simple as it might sound find out why.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Live from CNN Center, this is CNN Newsroom with Michael Holmes.

HOLMES: Appreciate your company. We begin in Ethiopia where nine armed opposition groups say they are creating an alliance against Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. A signing ceremony expected later today in Washington to form the United Front of Ethiopian Federalists and con Federalist forces.

Now this comes as joint rebel forces claimed to be 160 kilometers from Addis Ababa. The Tigray People's Liberation Front say they could enter the capital within weeks, but say that's not their ultimate objective.

A diplomatic source telling CNN the U.N. Security Council will discuss the conflict later today. Meanwhile, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa has been meeting with African Union leaders and government officials and the State Department adding its voice to a global call for de-escalation by all sides.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NED PRICE, U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON: We call on the TPLF. We call upon the Oromo Liberation Army, the OLA, to halt their advanced towards Addis. And we call on all parties to engage in dialogue on a cessation of hostilities. (END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: CNN's David McKenzie now explains what's led Ethiopia to this boiling point and where the nation might go from here.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

DAVID MCKENZIE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): The events of this week in Ethiopia certainly shocked some diplomats and surprised I think even some members of Prime Minister Abiy's government in Addis Ababa. The fact that you had TDF rebels in a major city, several 100 kilometers away from the Capitol is significant. This war, since its beginnings a year or so ago, has genuinely been focused in the northern Tigray province, after that province, and the leadership there tried to break away in certain ways from the federal leadership. That's what started this conflict. Abiy has been pushing for an Ethiopian nationalism.

But what the events of the last few months and last few days have shown is that the ethnic dimension, and the power from these regions is really threatening the national state in the capital. You've had the Tigrayan People's Liberation group and the TDF joining together in some ways with the Oromo Liberation Army. These are not natural bedfellows.

But the fact that they're joining up to have a military push, if not in Addis, but at least to threaten Addis, and means they can potentially apply a great deal of political pressure on Prime Minister Abiy in the coming days.

You have the senior U.S. envoy from the Horn of Africa, in Addis Ababa having talks there. He will be trying to push them to a negotiating table. But there has been no signs of peace talks, in particular, because their levels of atrocities in this conflict. According to the U.N. and Ethiopian human rights groups have been horrible. They've been sustained, and they continue in the Tigray region.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

HOLMES: Joining me now from Boston is Alex DeWaal. He's the Executive Director of the World Peace Foundation at Tufts University and an expert on the Horn of Africa. So it's great to get you on.

Given the lack of media access, of course and the government's communications blackout. I mean, how difficult is it to even know what is happening on the ground in reality, how do you see what's unfolding?

ALEX DEWAAL, EXEC. DIR., WORLD PEACE FOUNDATION AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY: Well, I speak regularly to Ethiopians on all sides, both on the Tigrayan side and in Addis Ababa.

[01:05:02]

And I think what's happening is really very clear. The war is essentially won a military victory decisively has been achieved by the two Tigrayan Defense Forces. The government in Addis Ababa has not accepted this Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is resolved to find on by mobilizing and arming ordinary civilians by continuing to use the principal weapons that he's been using over the last few months namely hunger, starvation against the people of Tigray and his air force, but for sure he will not be able to prevail for much longer.

HOLMES: What do you think the rebel groups ultimate aims are? And are they achievable? I mean, they saying they don't want the capital. But what do you think the rains?

DEWAAL: Well, the Tigrayan Defense Forces I think are very clear in their aims, which is they want to break the humanitarian blockade of Tigrayans so that they can end the famine, feed their people and in the longer term to ensure the permanent security of Tigray. So they will never again be subjected to the type of genocidal onslaught that they have had to face over the last year.

For the Oromo Liberation Army, that new recent ally, the aim is really a restructuring of the Ethiopian state and into the Imperial tradition of that state, and the restoration of a federal system in which the Oromo people who are in fact, the largest single ethnic group will be able to enjoy their rights.

HOLMES: Yes. I know, you wrote that the government's, quote, weapon of choice is famine, starvation. The United Nations have said there are famine conditions in Tigray. And yet the Security Council is yet to act meaningfully on all of this, what should the outside world be doing?

DEWAAL: I think the immediate priority for the U.N. Security Council is to act on the international legal obligation of preventing the war crime of starvation and feeding the hungry. And that can be done by insisting against the wishes of the Ethiopian government if necessary, then there should be humanitarian aid convoys which can go across the battle lines to reach the staffing of Tigray. That is the number one priority there.

There are also calls for a ceasefire. The problem with calling for a ceasefire is that both sides need to be prepared to negotiate. At the moment, the Tigrayans are saying, in principle, we would be ready to negotiate but Prime Minister Abiy is not. He is actually threatening genocidal violence against people in Addis Ababa and elsewhere, and so they want to move in and remove his government.

If they do that, they will not be well received by the inhabitants of Addis Ababa, who fear them greatly. And in fact, it could exacerbate the situation that would really be a possibly very bloody denouement to this war.

HOLMES: And just finally, what in your estimation is the potential geopolitical implication or implications of instability continuing in Ethiopia?

DEWAAL: If the Ethiopian state worked to collapse and fragment, if the -- what is already an exceptionally bloody war, were to mutate into two state fragmentation ethnic conflict across the entirety of Ethiopia, then one of the pillars of stability in this very, very significant region would crumble away entirely. And I think we would see something like what we've seen in Syria, we will see competition among the superpowers in this case, including China as well, for a stake in this very important region.

HOLMES: Fascinating analysis. Alex DeWaal really appreciate your time. Thanks so much.

DEWAAL: You're very welcome.

HOLMES: Turning now to the COVID pandemic and a chilling warning from the World Health Organization. It says Europe and Central Asia could see half a million new deaths by February. The organization says the region's now account for 59 percent of all COVID cases worldwide and almost half of all deaths.

The current surge in cases is being blamed on the relaxation of health measures and also low vaccination rates in some areas

[01:10:06]

On Thursday, the number of new cases reached new records in Germany and Greece. The WHO's executive director says what Europe is seeing right now is a warning shot for the rest of the world.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

DR. MIKE RYAN, WHO EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: We're all epidemiologists, now we only have to look at the roller coaster epidemiologic curve to know that when you're coming down the mountain, you're usually about to go back up another one. And the fact that Europe is climbing that mountain again, should really stand everybody up around the world and say, What are we going to do?

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: And we're joined now by Dr. Robert Walker. He's chair of the University of California, San Francisco Department of Medicine. Thanks so much for being with us, Doctor. Of course, every country is different. But what concerns you most about this case uptake in Europe? What are the potential implications?

DR. ROBERT WACHTER, UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN FRANCISCO: It's going up pretty quickly, Michael. You look at a country like Germany, which has been a star pupil for most of the pandemic, it is -- the curve is heading north very quickly.

The level they're at now is not that high just yet. It's actually about the same as the per capita rate in the United States and actually significantly lower than of England. But the direction is pretty scary. It's heading in the wrong direction.

The percent of people vaccinated in most of the countries in Europe, Germany, for example, about two-thirds and pre-Delta, we would have said, that's pretty good. That may be getting close to all we need. But Delta has made clear that two thirds is nowhere near enough. That's just too many unvaccinated people. And so countries that are at that level of vaccination are still at real risk of a major surge. And I think we're beginning to see it.

HOLMES: Do you think as some have said, in general, the relaxation of precautions has been too soon and perhaps too broad in some countries?

WACHTER: I think so. I mean, I look at England, and where they really took away most of the precautions, when there was still a lot of virus around. And what you saw there was their curve peaked pretty badly several months ago, came down pretty swiftly in the early days of vaccination, and then plateaued and plateaued at a really high rate, twice the rate of the United States, twice the rate of Germany and the rest of Europe currently.

And so it just shows that if you let your guard down, too soon, before you've reached sufficient levels of immunity, you're going to get slammed. This virus is very good at finding vulnerable noses and mouths, and we all are tired of this. Everybody wants to get back to normal. But if you do it too soon, you're going to get hammered, and probably ultimately need to go back into more of a state of lockdown than any of us want.

HOLMES: Yes. And in the U.S. cases do seem to be leveling out somewhat. But what are your concerns with that hardcore, still not wanting to vaccinate, but also, you know, winter is coming? And along with as we've been talking about people dropping their guard?

WACHTER: Yes, it's frustrating, as I think we've seen in many countries, although in the U.S. it seems like it's more of your vaccination preferences are more linked to your political identity than in many other countries. It our vaccination rates in certain parts of the country where I live in San Francisco are really high. They're up to about 80 percent, and moving up now that the five to 11 year olds have been approved. In other parts of the country, it's 40 percent. And that is way, way, way too low for Delta.

Now, I think people are getting a little bit of a false sense of reassurance, because in those places with low vaccine rates, they have very high infection rates. And the infection does give you some measure of immunity, but it wanes and it's pretty imperfect.

And so you can feel like OK, you know, we're not seeing much COVID in our region, even though we don't have that many people vaccinated. That is -- that's the calm before the storm. You're going to get hit, particularly as the weather gets colder, and people move inside.

And I think we're beginning to see that in the United States. Our curve was coming down really very, very nicely over the last couple months. And it has plateaued and it's plateaued at a rate that's substantially lower than England's but still at way higher rate than we want it.

HOLMES: Yes. Yes. Speaking of the U.S., the Biden administration setting that January 4 deadline for large companies to have vaccinated workplaces, I mean, we're talking 84 million workers. What's the impact of that likely to be? WACHTER: We'll see. I mean, you know, there's a lot of political football going on here about that, you know, lots of people say you can't make me do that, obviously attends to parse along political lines, but the experience so far with mandates has been pretty good. You know, you see a lot of people saying I will quit before they forced me to get a vaccine. And by the time the dust settles 99 percent of people in that workplace have gotten it. We've never done something as large scale what the President planning.

[01:15:00]

But I actually think it's the right move because we simply have to get to a higher level of vaccination than where we're at now. And it's very clear that incentives and cajoling and shaming, and all the things we tried so far have not gotten us to a level that will keep us safe and will keep our economy moving. And so I think we have to do this. It's -- And yet there's going to be a lot of political pushback. But I think the evidence so far is that mandates work quite well.

HOLMES: Yes, yes. For the good of all. Dr. Robert Wachter, thanks so much. Appreciate your time.

WACHTER: Pleasure.

HOLMES: Now, long hold COVID also called post-COVID syndrome, taking a heavy toll on its staffers. Doctors at the Mayo Clinic estimate more than 1 million Americans are out of work right now because of the condition in which lingering symptoms of Coronavirus persist long after people recover from the disease? CNN's Gabe Cohen talks talk to some long holders about their struggles.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

GABE COHEN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Laurie Bedell feels trapped inside her Pittsburgh home and her ailing body.

LAURIE BEDELL, SUFFERING FROM POST-COVID SYNDROME: I feel like I've lost the life that I had.

COHEN: It's been nearly a year since she and her family contracted COVID. Her father died. Today, she's still battling post-COVID syndrome, a mysterious long-term condition plaguing some COVID patients. Once perfectly healthy, she now keeps this long list of symptoms like severe fatigue, brain fog and constant pain.

BEDELL: I literally can't even leave my house by myself.

COHEN: She needs a walker just to get the mail.

(on camera): How are you feeling now?

BEDELL: little winded.

COHEN: Could you even work right now?

BEDELL: No. I barely function. COHEN (voice-over): Before COVID, Laurie was the nursing director for a home health agency. But she hasn't worked since January. After using up her paid time off. She was laid off.

BEDELL: Losing that job and losing that part of me has been really hard. I've become one of the patients that I care for.

COHEN: Laurie's cases severe but she's not alone.

DR. GREG VANICHKACHORN, OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE, MAYO CLINIC: Unfortunately, it's quite alarming.

COHEN: Dr. Greg Vanichkachorn is seeing this constantly.

VANICHKACHORN: Work issues have been one of the most significant problems we've encountered in our patient population.

COHEN: His team at the Mayo Clinic treats and studies post-COVID syndrome. Looking at data from their clinic and several other studies, they've noticed a troubling trend.

VANICHKACHORN: We estimate that approximately 1.3 million individuals are out of work right now due to long haul COVID symptoms.

COHEN: He says that could mean more than a million Americans out of the labor force as the country deals with a worker shortage and more than 10 million open jobs as of August.

MARK ZANDI, CHIEF ECONOMIST, MOODY'S ANALYTICS: I think that's entirely plausible.

COHEN: Mark Zandi is Chief Economist of Moody's Analytics. He says the doctor's estimate makes sense.

ZANDI: Long COVID is increasingly a significant headwind to the labor market, getting back to normal, for businesses to get their business operations up and running. And, you know, ultimately, for the broader economy to kick into high gear.

COHEN (voice-over): Could this be an over estimate?

VANICHKACHORN: Absolutely. But it also could be an underestimate.

COHEN: Most of the long haulers they're studying have well-paying jobs and good insurance.

VANICHKACHORN: My fear is that there are individuals out there who are suffering severely from this condition, but they simply can't take time off of work to go get care.

COHEN: Jennifer Hobbs is a preschool teacher in Medford, Oregon who suffered long haul symptoms for a year from severe fatigue to hair loss.

JENNIFER HOBBS, SUFFERING FROM POST-COVID SYNDROME: I've had a headache every single day for a year. COHEN: But she returned to our classroom heating the income and health insurance.

HOBBS: It was nearly impossible for me to think about leaving. I don't know how I do it. I just make it through the day.

COHEN: The U.S. government recognizes long COVID as a disability and patients can apply for assistance, but it can take months and some long hauler say they've been denied.

BEDELL: It's been a catastrophe for us.

COHEN: Laurie Bedell just applied for disability and is awaiting an answer. She and her husband have used up their savings and retirement funds just to pay the bills.

BEDELL: Honestly, I'm terrified that I'm never going to be able to go back to work.

COHEN (on camera): Now many of the patients these clinics are studying are some of the more severe long COVID cases. And some of these doctors acknowledge it's hard to say exactly how many long haulers are out of work. But this latest estimate reflects the concern from doctors about the long term neurological problems that their patients face for the ones who have left their jobs. And for those who may be suffering in silence at work. Gabe Cohen, CNN, Washington.

(END VIDEO TAPE)

HOLMES: Young activists are raising their voices at the Glasgow climate conference but many of them have been here before and skeptical anyone is listening.

Also CNN journeys through the Colombian jungle alongside a woman with a penalty on her head in the most dangerous country for environmental defenders.

[01:20:05]

You're watching CNN Newsroom we'll be right back.

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HOLMES: Two people of dead after violence broke out near a popular tourist hotel just outside of Cancun in Mexico. Authorities say a confrontation between rival gangs of drug dealers erupted into a gunfight on a beach nearby. Two of them with killed. Several hotel guests told CNN they were told to shelter in place after hearing multiple gunshots no other serious injuries were reported.

Now the White House says the world's major oil exporters appear unwilling to increase supply as gasoline prices soar. President Biden recently appealed to OPEC and Russia to boost production but received a flat no. U.S. officials say they are monitoring fuel prices and may take unilateral action if necessary. CNN's Eleni Giokos has more from Dubai. (BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

ELENI GIOKOS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (on camera): OPEC plus countries, 23 nations that account for 50 percent of the world's oil supply have decided to not increase production of oil. This is despite the push by U.S. President Joe Biden for them to increase the amount of oil in the market to alleviate the pressure on households and to ensure that the economic recovery is not derailed.

Now, what we have seen coming through is the OPEC nation said that this is a balancing act and that they're happy with the current supply demand scenarios. Take a listen to what the Energy Minister of Saudi Arabia had to say.

ABDULAZIZ BIN SALMAN AL SAUD, SAUDI ENERGY MINISTER: With regard to the U.S. yes, we've been having discussions at all levels. And we still believe that we are what -- we are doing is the right job. And the most convenient job.

GIOKOS: And the reality is this is a huge dichotomy between the conversations that are being had a COP26 about committing to an energy transitioning to net zero and moving away from fossil fuels, like oil. And then of course, importantly, the fact that many people and actually the whole world is still reliant on the use of oil for energy needs. And it's very indicative of the energy crises that are currently playing out in Europe and the United States as well.

The reality is you can't just switch off the taps to oil that there needs to be a transition and for many of these countries that took such a hard hit during the height of COVID-19, where oil prices dropped to below zero, some are trying to capitalize on the current revenue streams on an industry that's clearly going to come to an end in the next few decades.

If the climate agenda is something that countries do, in fact, stick to now what the U.S. could consider doing is tapping into their strategic petroleum reserves to try and alleviate some of the pressure in the United States. But still, this is a very difficult situation, a big conversation between the climate change agenda and the desperate need and reliance on oil. Eleni Giokos, CNN, Dubai.

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[01:25:19]

HOLMES: Activists plan several demonstrations in Glasgow on Friday to demand greater action on climate change. Friday is build as youth and public empowerment day at COP26. But some protesters are pessimistic the event will lead to meaningful action to cut carbon emissions.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): It really scares me that my country's government, the Polish government has such an indifference towards the lives and safety of people in developing countries. And the way the economies are based on limitless growth regardless of the fact that people in those regions already are living with the effects of climate change.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE (through translator): COP26 so far is as always, even when you're used to cops, just a giant greenwashing event. Every company, every country boast about their greenwashing but nothing much is really happening.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

HOLMES: Now that's not the view inside the conference, which is much more upbeat. The head of the International Energy Agency says if every country fulfills the goals agreed to so far, it could keep global warming below two degrees Celsius and avoid the worst impacts of climate change. That's a big if of course.

Now a disturbing report shows that 2020 was the deadliest year on record for people who could be called Environmental Defenders. 227 people killed for protecting the Earth's natural resources. Just last year, 69 of them were in Colombia. Now local people in that country who call themselves indigenous guards are training the next generation to take up the fight to protect their lands. CNN's Stefano Pozzebon reports.

(BEGIN VIDEO TAPE)

STEFANO POZZEBON, JOURNALIST (voice-over): The Indigenous Guards in the reservation of Tacueyo in Colombia's North Cauca region installing a checkpoint to control their territory. Armed with only sticks and machetes, they are the first line in defense of the environment. It's a dangerous deadly job. Because of their activism, their leader, Nora Taquinas has received multiple threats from organized crime groups and guerrillas who are trying to penetrate the reservation.

Today, we're following her and Indigenous Guards on a patrol.

(on camera): This color represents the Indigenous Guard. These two colors represent greenies nature, which is what they're defending. And red is the blood of the comrades by fallen in the past.

(voice-over): The guerrillas don't control Taquinas's reservation, but (INAUDIBLE) in the closest town show who is in charge. Former rebels who rejected the Landmark Peace Accord between the Colombian government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia or FARC, and who holds sway over the lucrative production of cocaine.

The indigenous fight is in defense of water sources along the Cordillera mountain range at over 10,000 feet above sea level. The top of the mountain is a strategic location for drug trafficking groups who use it for smuggling routes, or shelter in the fight against the state.

Security forces are rarely seen here. The Indigenous Guards are often the only institution denouncing and standing up to the traffickers.

(on camera): The ground itself feel like a giant sponge here, full of water, and this water is what gives water to the rivers of Columbia. NORA TAQUINAS, ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENDER (through translator): If there was no water here, Columbia would be a desert. There'll be no life in the country.

POZZEBON: Taquinas fight for the environment mixes with social issues for our indigenous community. She oversees projects of sustainable development of water sources, like this fish farm to create jobs and prevent more people from joining the guerillas. This puts Taquinas in direct conflict with the criminal groups.

In 2018, her name was added to a list of Tacueyo's leaders with a bounty on their head from one of the largest paramilitary groups in Colombia. Now the single mother of two leaves under protection, but still hasn't left from line.

TAQUINAS (voice-over): Some people when they see this amount of nature see profit and money. With that point of view, the environmentalist becomes an enemy.

[01:29:42]

POZZEBON: According to the international NGO Global Witness, last year, 65 environmental leaders were murdered in Colombia, the world's most dangerous country to be a defender.

The office of U.N. Human Commissioner for Human Rights have reported recently that 69 indigenous leaders were killed in the country between 2016 and 2020.

Global Witness says the majority of the victims were killed by crime cartels, with interests in drugs, logging and illegal mining. International organizations and Colombia's partners like the U.S. have urged the state to offer further protection to leaders like Taquinas (ph), something President Ivan Duque pledged resolutely.

IVAN DUQUE, COLOMBIAN PRESIDENT (through translator): And you can have the assurance from my administration that not only we have strengthened the legal system to be tougher on environmental crimes but also on dismantling this type of organization.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: But the numbers tell a different story. Violence is on the rise in the countryside, with over 75 massacres reported this year so far.

Most of the indigenous guards in this group told us they have been either threatened or approached for recruiting. And in 2019, an attack by the guerrillas left 5 of them killed.

Taquinas' latest project is a school to train the next generation of environmental leaders. "I am fine if my time on this earth will be cut short," she says. "but I want to be sure, there is someone to take up the fight."

Stefano Pozzebon, CNN -- (INAUDIBLE).

(END VIDEOTAPE) MICHAEL HOLMES, CNN ANCHOR: Ethiopia's prime minister has been praised in the past for prioritizing peace and for ending a war but now his country is at war with itself. We'll discuss when we come back.

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HOLMES: And returning now to our top story.

Nine armed opposition groups say they are creating an alliance against Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. As rebel fighters advance on the capitol, a diplomatic source telling CNN the U.N. Security Council will discuss the conflict later today.

This coming as the prime minister who many once believed could unite the country, is now vowing to, quote, "bury the enemy".

CNN's Melissa Bell with the story.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MELISSA BELL, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Abiy Ahmed was elected prime minister of Ethiopia in 2018. The charismatic 41-year-old promised to bring about change and heal divisions.

Initially, many of his promises were backed up with action. Abiy announced plans to relax Ethiopia's terrorism law and he released thousands of political prisoners.

He was seen doing pushups with members of the military after their march to his office, demanding better pay. He signed a peace deal with Eritrea ending a two-decade long war. And in 2019, Abiy won the Nobel Peace prize for ending that war.

[01:34:58]

ABIY AHMED, ETHIOPIAN PRIME MINISTER: This is a labor of love. Sustaining peace is hard work, yet we must cherish and nurture it. It takes a few to make war, but it takes a village and a nation to build peace.

BELL: But making peace with Eritrea, angered the people of Tigray in the country's north.

The TPLF, the Tigray Peoples' Liberation Front, had long-standing tensions with the Eritrean government. Abiy had already sparked anger when he rearranged the ruling coalition founded by the TPLF into a single new party. He promised to hold democratic elections in 2020 but postponed them because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

But in a show of strength, Tigray held its own regional elections and won. The prime minister called those elections invalid. Ethiopian lawmakers voted to cut funding to the region in October 2020 which incensed Tigray leaders.

A month later, TPLF allegedly attacked an Ethiopian military base. Abiy retaliated, ordering a military offensive into Tigray with help from neighboring Eritrea, igniting a deadly conflict.

Abiy's party won most of the seats in the country's June parliamentary elections, assuring him another term in office. But the elections were overshadowed by an opposition boycott and logistical problems. Abiy deemed them free and fair.

AHMED: You can see how it is a free and fair election. Everybody is here for free and I hope it will be the best election in our history.

BELL: The fighting continues to escalate. Neither side is backing down.

AHMED (through translator): This pit which is dug very deep will be where the enemy will be buried, not where Ethiopia disintegrates. We will bury this enemy with our blood and bones and make the glory of Ethiopia high up again.

BELL: It seems the prime minister who was once celebrated for bringing peace is now speaking the language of war.

Melissa Bell, CNN.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Historic artifacts stolen over a century ago, some are now coming home. But not everyone agrees with returning the looted treasures. We'll have the details after the break.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

HOLMES: Two British universities this week marked the return of looted artifacts to their original homes in west Africa. Thousands of Benin bronzes were stolen in the 19th, well now several European countries are in the process of returning them.

CNN's Scott McLean with the details.

[01:39:49]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

SCOTT MCLEAN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Though the tools are now modern, in west Africa, they've been casting bronze sculptures like this for centuries. But thousands of the region's oldest and most famous pieces of art aren't here. For well over a century, they've been in museums across Europe.

But maybe not for much longer. French President Emmanuel macron was there for the official handover of 26 artifacts that had been stolen from what is now the country of Benin in the 1890s. hat government is still seeking thousands more.

In the U.K., the Universities of Aberdeen and Cambridge are returning sculptures from the Kingdom of Benin, now part of Nigeria.

SONIA ALLEYNE, MASTER OF JESUS COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY: When one sees a wrong that is so egregious, the only institutional question one can ask, is how to right that wrong.

MKCLEAN: They are called the Benin bronzes, looted by British troops 124 years ago then auctioned off to museums across Europe. 136 of them still sit inside the museum at Cambridge University, which is now trying to figure out how best to give them back.

PROFESSOR NICHOLAS THOMAS, CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY MUSEUM OF ARCHEOLOGY AND ANTHROPOLOGY: It's been made very clear to us that members of the court, members of the public in that part of Nigeria do not forget about what happened in 1897.

If it's right to return material that was looted by the Nazis to the descendants of the people from whom it was taken, we should apply the same logic if the people from whom things were taken are in Africa or elsewhere.

MCLEAN: The German government also plans to hand back its Benin bronzes next year. But not everyone agrees on the principle of returning artifacts taken by foreign powers. Some argue they are safer in European museums.

The British Museum, which still houses the famous Elgin marbles taken from Greece more than two centuries ago, also has more than 900 Benin bronzes it says it's happy to share, but it has not committed to returning them.

(on camera): Where do you draw the line on all this. I mean this happened more than 120 years ago. If this happened 200 years ago or 500 years ago would we be having the same discussion today?

THOMAS: I think we make case by case decisions. It's not about an arbitrary cut off point. One of the significant factors in the Benin cases that the court is still there. The people are still there. We have had members of the Benin royal family right in this space.

MCLEAN (voice over): In Nigeria, a brand-new museum of west African art is opening which will house many of the returned artifacts.

THEOPHILUS UMOGBAI, ART CURATOR: We've been expectant of these objects for over a century now. I was born into the struggle so we're happy about it.

MCLEAN: Scott McLean, CNN -- London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HOLMES: Now many of the hits of singer and songwriter Lionel Richie now have a new publishing home.

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HOLMES: Yes, songs like "All Night Long", "Lady", and "Hello" are part of a new exclusive deal Richie signed with Universal Music Publishing Group. The 72-year-old star -- yes he's 72 now -- says he knows his songs are in the best hands and he's excited for what could be accomplished.

Richie began his solo career in the 80s and has sold more than 125 million albums worldwide.

Thanks so much for spending part of your day with me. I'm Michael Holmes. You can follow me on Twitter and Instagram @HolmesCNN.

"INSIDE AFRICA" coming up next.

And then Kim Brunhuber will have more news for you.

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