Ethiopian crisis: AU invites parties to conflict for peace talks
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The African Union (AU), which is leading peace talks to end the fighting in Ethiopia, has made an official invitation for talks to begin, the Ethiopian Government Communication Service has announced.
The state-owned Ethiopian News Agency (ENA) quoted the Government Communication Service as saying in a press release on Wednesday that the AU's official invitation "is consistent with the Ethiopian Government’s prior positions".
The Government of Ethiopia has stated that talks should only be mediated by the AU and should be held without any pre-conditions, the press release said.
“The Government of Ethiopia remains committed to adopting all possible measures to resolve the conflict in a manner that ensures lasting peace, territorial integrity of the country and will continue upholding this commitment,” it added.
The US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mike Hammer, is travelling to Kenya, South Africa, and Ethiopia from 3-18 October, as part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to achieve an immediate cessation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia and support the launch of AU-led peace talks.
Following up on discussions on the situation in northern Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa held in Washington on 27 September during the U.S.-South Africa Working Group on African and Global Issues, Special Envoy Hammer will travel to Pretoria to meet with South African government officials to advance efforts in support of the AU-led mediation effort.
In Addis Ababa, Mr. Hammer will meet with Ethiopian government and African Union (AU) officials, the US statement said.
He will also meet with UN officials and other partners delivering humanitarian assistance in response to the northern Ethiopia conflict and providing drought relief.
"Special Envoy Hammer will stress the importance of accountability on human rights issues in resolving the conflict and achieving national reconciliation," the statement said.
Many organisations and countries have reiterated their concerns about the renewed fighting in Ethiopia between the regional Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Ethiopian Government and called on all parties to participate in the AU-led peace talks.
-0- PANA MA 5Oct2022
