Panafrican News Agency

UPDATE 1: Ethiopian crisis: AU, IGAD call for cessation of hostilities between Government and TPLF

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union (AU) and the sub-regional Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have added their voices to calls for a de-escalation by feuding parties in Ethiopia where reports on Wednesday spoke of renewed confrontation between the Government and the regional Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF).

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, issued a statement on Wednesday saying he is following with deep concern the reports of renewed military confrontation and "strongly" called for the immediate cessation of hostilities.

He also urged the parties to resume talks to seek a peaceful solution.

"The Chairperson reiterates the African Union’s continued commitment to work with the parties in support of a consensual political process in the interest of the country," the statement said.

It added that Mr. Mahamat has called on the parties to engage with the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, issued a statement saying he is "profoundly concerned" at reports of hostilities on the border of Tigray region and called for immediate ceasefire and for the parties to recommit to dialogue.

"The Executive Secretary calls on all sides involved to immediately refrain hostilities and escalation and recommit to dialogue to find sustainable peace in the best interest of the people of Ethiopia and the entire region," the statement said.

The UN Secretary-General, Mr Antonio Guterres and US Secretary of State, Mr. Antony Blinken, have in separate statements expressed concern about the fighting and called on the Government and TPLF to stop hostilities.

Mr. Blinken warned that a return to active conflict would result in widespread suffering, human rights abuses, and further economic hardships, while playing into the hands of those that seek to undermine Ethiopia’s peace and security.

Mr. Guterres said Ethiopians, Tigrayans, Amharas, Oromos, and Afars have already suffered too much in the war that started in November 2020.

The UN Secretary General said: "My strong appeal is for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the TPLF with, at the same time, the full guarantee of humanitarian access to people in need and the reestablishment of public services."

The Government and TPLF sides on Wednesday blamed each other for starting the war again.

The Government said the TPLF launched offensives on the eastern front at 5 am on Wednesday morning.

The Government has said it shot down a plane delivering arms to the TPLF but the leadership of the Front has denied it.

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 the Tigray regional capital, Mekelle. 

Fighting sparked massive displacement, widespread destruction of livelihoods and infrastructure, loss of employment and a huge humanitarian crisis.

Ethiopia declared a unilateral ceasefire in June 2021 but tension has remained between the two sides.

-0- PANA MA 25Aug2022