Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: US welcomes commitment to unhindered humanitarian access in northern Ethiopia

Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US has welcomed the commitment to unhindered humanitarian access and clarification of cessation of hostilities implementing arrangements articulated in the Declaration of the Senior Commanders Meeting on the Implementation of the Ethiopia Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement announced on Saturday in Nairobi.

In addition to more concretely specifying the implementation of the 2 November agreement signed in Pretoria between the Government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the parties further committed to cooperate and facilitate the delivery of unhindered humanitarian access in the agreement.

"We welcome the humanitarian access permissions that have already been restored as well as the firm commitments for humanitarian assistance to flow to the Tigray Region and the affected areas of the Afar and Amhara Regions to address the needs of the most vulnerable," a press statement issued by Mr. Ned Price, Spokesperson for the US Department of State said.

It said the US was the largest supporter of humanitarian aid to Ethiopia, and would continue to deliver to those most in need.

The US said as the parties implement the commitments they made in the 2 November agreement and Saturday's declaration, "they must honour the cessation of hostilities, expedite unhindered humanitarian assistance to all in need, protect all civilians, deliver restoration of basic services throughout northern Ethiopia, and begin investigation of and accountability for human rights abuses".

It commended the parties for continuing to deliver on their commitments and applauded the determined efforts of AU High Representative former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta who spearheaded this effort in Nairobi, the government of Kenya for hosting, and the African Union for its leadership.

"The United States will continue to support the implementation of the November 2 agreement and efforts to achieve a lasting peace," the statement said, adding "work remains, but progress is promising and gives the Ethiopian people reason for hope".

The Cessation of Hostilities agreement was signed after an African Union (AU)-led talks brokered by former President Obasanjo, former South African Deputy President, Dr. Phumuzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Under the deal, they agreed to a permanent ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

The conflict started on 3 November, 2020 when the TPLF forces attacked the Federal forces in the Tigray regional capital, Mekelle and PM Abiy responded the following day.

There was a five-month lull in the fighting, but hostilities resumed again on 24 August.

The fighting has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, destroyed livelihoods and created a huge humanitarian problem amidst allegations of human rights violations, including possible war crimes

The TPLF had dominated Ethiopian politics for years until Prime Minister Abiy's electoral victory in 2018.

-0- PANA MA 13Nov2022