Ethiopian crisis: UNICEF urges all sides to agree an immediate ceasefire 'for the sake of children'
New York, US (PANA) - The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has urged all sides to the Ethiopian conflict to agree to an immediate ceasefire for the sake of children.
In a statement issued in New York, UNICEF wrote: “Yet again, the re-escalation of indiscriminate violence in northern Ethiopia has robbed children of their lives. Recent shelling into villages in the Afar region, on the border of Tigray, over the last few days has killed children and left many others injured.
“Once again, UNICEF calls on all parties to agree to an immediate cessation of hostilities - for the sake of the children in Ethiopia and their future.”
Fighting broke out once again in Ethiopia one week ago with the Government and the regional organisation, Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), have blamed each other for starting the war again.
The Government said the TPLF launched offensives on the eastern front at 5 am last Wednesday morning.
The conflict between the Addis Ababa government and TPLF started on 4 November 2020 when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military offensive after TPLF forces attacked a federal army base in Mekelle.
Fighting sparked massive displacement, widespread destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, loss of employment and a huge humanitarian crisis.
The Ethiopian Government declared a unilateral ceasefire in June 2021 but tension has remained between the two sides.
-0- PANA MA 31Aug2022
