Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: US Secretary of State, Ethiopian PM discuss peace efforts in the north

Washington, DC, US (PANA) - The US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, on Tuesday about efforts to bring lasting peace to northern Ethiopia. 

A statement issued by Mr. Ned Price, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said Mr. Blinken "recognised ongoing efforts" by the Ethiopian government to work towards unhindered humanitarian assistance and restoration of basic services in the Tigray Region as well as in the neighbouring Afar and Amhara Regions. 

"The Secretary underscored the importance of immediately implementing the cessation of hostilities agreement, including withdrawal of all foreign forces and concurrent disarmament of the Tigrayan forces," the statement said.  

Mr. Blinken said that the United States remains committed to supporting the African Union-led process, including the AU monitoring and verification mechanism.

The Cessation of Hostilities agreement was signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November after AU-led talks brokered by former President of Nigeria, Olusegun 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.

Subsequently, military commanders of Ethiopia and the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) also signed an agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, under which they made a commitment to unhindered humanitarian access and clarification of cessation of hostilities implementing arrangements.

The Ethiopian conflict started on 3 November, 2020 when the TPLF forces attacked the Federal forces in Mekelle and Prime Minister 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 23Nov2022