United Nations chief calls end to Ethiopia military conflict

By Addis Getachew

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia (AA) – United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres called on an “immediate end” to the armed conflict in Ethiopia between government forces and rebels who hailed from the northern region of Tigray.

His remarks came on Thursday during a press conference he gave at the UN Headquarters in connection with World Humanitarian Day.

The conflict raging for nine months now is reported to have escalated as the fighters of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) made incursions into neighboring Afar and Amhara regions.

“It is time for all parties to recognize that there is no military solution, and it is vital to preserve the unity and stability of Ethiopia, which is critical to the region and beyond,” the Secretary General said.

Guterres called for an immediate end to hostilities, guaranteed unrestricted humanitarian access, together with the re-establishment of public services in all affected areas, and a solution to the crisis.

“Such dialogue can contribute to addressing the underlying causes of the conflict and ensure Ethiopian voices direct the pathway to peace,” he said.

The UN chief added that the UN would continue to work together with the African Union and other partners to support peace and reconciliation.

The TPLF fighters took advantage of the government’s June 29 unilateral ceasefire and ensuing withdrawal of its troops from Tigray to move into neighboring Afar and Amhara regions, where battles are raging at numerous fronts.

On November 3, 2020, the TPLF forces raided the Ethiopian army military bases stationed across Tigray, including in the regional capital Mekele, killing soldiers and looting sizable military hardware. The following day, the Ethiopian government declared a sweeping law enforcement measures.

More than two million people were internally displaced and tens of thousands of others fled to neighboring Sudan.