Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: PM Abiy speaks with UN, AU, regional leaders on siuation in country

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Thursday held discussions on the situation in the country with UN Secretary General, António Guterres, and African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat.

“I have held productive phone discussions with Antonio Guterres and Moussa Faki Mahamat on current issues,” Abiy twitted, according to the state-owned Ethiopian News Agency (ENA).

It quoted the prime minister as saying Ethiopia, as a founding member of both the UN and African Union, had been "a proponent of multilateralism rooted in respect for national sovereignty".

ENA reported that Abiy also held "extensive phone discussions" on Thursday with the leaders of Djibouti, Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, Eritrea and South Sudan.

The prime minister said on Wednesday that he was back in his office after the successful completion of the first phase of the push against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that had captured several towns and cities as it threatened to overrun the capital, Addis Ababa.

The prime minister said that the first phase of “Operation for National Unity in Diversity” had been successfully completed as per the plan within two weeks of operation.    

"I have completed the first phase of the operation, I will be at my office for some time,” he said in a message.

Abiy joined the war on the frontline on 23 November "to save the country" by leading from the battlefront.

The Ethiopian authorities say many towns and cities have since been "liberated", especially in Amhara and Afar regions with their operations exposing the "atrocities" committed by the TPLF.

He said: “Our strong desire is peace and love. However, the terrorist TPLF, in collaboration with its accomplices, had created danger on our country by rejecting the repeated call for peace and the newly introduced inclusive political culture, by undermining the patience demonstrated to curtail further destructions relying on the support of some foreign enemies.” 

The Ethiopian Cabinet on 2 November declared nationwide state of emergency to "protect civilians from atrocities being committed by the TPLF".

Prime Minister Abiy recalled retired soldiers as he rallied his countrymen to confront the rebels.

Meanwhile, media reports say the World Food Programme (WFP) has suspended food aid distribution in Dessie and Kombolcha towns after its warehouses were looted by the rebel TPLF forces.

Both towns were recently recaptured by Ethiopian National Defence Force from the TPLF, who say they have withdrawn from the areas. 

The media reports say UN said WFP staff were unable to prevent the looting.

The WFP said its staff faced extreme intimidation, including being held at gunpoint.

-0- PANA MA/RA 9Dec2021