UN Secretary-General António Guterres has renewed his call for the warring sides in Ethiopia to bring an end to more than a year of fighting in the country’s restive central and northern regions.
Mr. Guterres welcomed Friday’s announcement by the Ethiopian government that federal forces will pause at their current positions, Deputy UN Spokesperson Farhan Haq said in a statement over the weekend.
“The Secretary-General urges the parties to grasp this opportunity, cease hostilities in the year-long conflict, take all steps to ensure the provision of much-needed humanitarian assistance, the withdrawal of foreign fighters, and address political differences through a credible and inclusive national dialogue,” the statement said.
The Secretary-General encouraged the parties to continue engagement with the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He also underlined the UN’s full support of Mr. Obasanjo’s mediation efforts, and called on the international community to play a constructive role in bringing an end to the fighting.
Last week, the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva held a special session where countries voted to establish an international expert commission to investigate allegations of violations during the conflict, which the government of Ethiopia rejected.
Fighters of the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front have been on the retreat since late last month as prime minister Abiy Ahmed appeared on the front line to boost the morale of federal troops.
Last week TPLF leaders called for a truce but warned against an invasion of Tigray by federal forces which could prolong the conflict.
International rights agencies have blamed both sides for the atrocities meted out on civilians in Tigray and Amhara.
Thousands of people mostly civilians have died since the conflict began in November 2020.
MG/as/APA