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US State Dept terms Ethiopia’s ceasefire as positive step

The Biden administration, Price added, also calls for the “immediate, verifiable withdrawal of all Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory,” which is necessary to sustain the ceasefire….reports Asian Lite News

The United States sees Ethiopia’s ceasefire announcement in Tigray as a potential positive development if it leads to changes on the ground, State Department Spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

On Monday, the Ethiopian government declared an unconditional ceasefire in the conflict-torn province following the recapture of the regional capital of Mekelle by rebel forces that forced the government forces to retreat.

“The Government of Ethiopia’s announcement yesterday of a unilateral ceasefire in the Tigray region could be a positive step if it results in changes on the ground to end the conflict, stop the atrocities, and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance. We are closely monitoring developments. We call on all parties to commit to an immediate, indefinite, negotiated ceasefire, so as to end the violence, restore stability to Tigray, and create a context for an inclusive dialogue that preserves the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Ethiopian state,” Price said on Tuesday.

People display photos of Tigrian deceased fighters during the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) at Mekelle Stadium in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde/IANS)

The Biden administration, Price added, also calls for the “immediate, verifiable withdrawal of all Eritrean forces from Ethiopian territory,” which is necessary to sustain the ceasefire.

The United States also urges Ethiopian authorities to immediately restore telecommunication services in Tigray and “permit unhindered freedom of movement for and ensure the safety and security of humanitarian organization personnel,” Price said.

Clashes in the province of Tigray erupted in November after the Ethiopian government accused the local ruling party — the Tigray People’s Liberation Front — of ambushing a regional army post to hijack weapons and arm anti-government militia. The Tigray region has been occupied by the Ethiopian military since then, resulting in the fighting with the rebels and heavy civilian losses. (ANI)

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UAE welcomes ceasefire in Tigray

A constructive dialogue within the framework of state institutions along with the rule of law and the constitution is the only way to bring lasting peace,said statement…reports Asian Lite News

The UAE has welcomed the declaration of a ceasefire in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, stressing that a political solution is the only way to end the conflict in the country.

In a statement today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed that this decision is an important step to achieve a political settlement and the aspirations of the Ethiopian people to build a future that meets their aspirations for peace and prosperity.

The statement added that a constructive dialogue within the framework of state institutions along with the rule of law and the constitution is the only way to bring lasting peace and stability to the country.

The Ethiopian government, in a statement published late Monday night by state-affiliated Fana Broadcasting Corporate (FBC), said the move followed a request by the Tigray regional state interim administration.

The unilateral ceasefire is said to facilitate humanitarian assistance, peaceful livelihood in the region as well as agriculture activities amid the approaching rainy season.

ALSO READ: US, UK, Ireland seek UNSC meet on Tigray

Since the early hours of November 4, 2020, the Ethiopian government has been undertaking military operations against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the regional state.

“Fighters loyal to the TPLF, who are presently dispersed in the desert will return to peace if conditions are made conducive for it, the Ethiopian government has accepted the Tigray interim administration’s request for ceasefire positively,” the statement read.

“For the farmer to till the land peacefully, for the aid work to be distributed free from military pressure, for TPLF remnants to return to peaceful road, an unconditional unilateral ceasefire has been declared from June 28 to last until the end of farming season,” the statement added.

Earlier, the United States, United Kingdom and Ireland had sought an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the issues in Tigray, where rebel fighters were able to enter the regional capital of Mekele on Monday.

The reports suggested that the UNSC meeting could be held on Friday. However, the decision to set up a date and time is up to France, which holds the Security Council Presidency in July.

Meanwhile last week, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had expressed shock at the killing of three staff members of Medecins Sans Frontiers (MSF) or Doctors Without Borders in Ethiopia’s conflict-hit Tigray region.

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Tigray crisis: Humanitarian situation worse than ever

According to Ethiopian government figures, the conflict has displaced around 2.2 million people, while 4.5 million people are in need of emergency aid.

Access in parts of southern and southeastern Tigray has been curtailed for a month and the road from Alamata to Mekelle, the regional capital, remains closed, blocking humanitarian response in the area…reports Asian Lite News

The humanitarian situation in Ethiopia’s conflict-ridden Tigray state remains extremely dire, a UN spokesman said.

Access in parts of southern and southeastern Tigray has been curtailed for a month and the road from Alamata to Mekelle, the regional capital, remains closed, blocking humanitarian response in the area, Xinhua news agency quoted Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as saying on Wednesday.

An estimated 2.5 million people in rural areas have not had access to essential services for the last four months, he said.

“We continue to receive concerning reports of attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure, including the looting and vandalization of health centres, schools, as well as several cases of sexual and gender-based violence. All of which are unacceptable,” he told a daily press briefing.

People display photos of Tigrian deceased fighters during the 45th anniversary of the founding of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) at Mekelle Stadium in Mekelle, northern Ethiopia. (Xinhua/Michael Tewelde/IANS)

The conflict continues to drive massive displacement across the region, with tens of thousands of people arriving in the towns of Shire, Axum and Adwa over the last weeks, he said.

The UN, along with its humanitarian partners on the ground, is scaling up the response and has assisted more than 1 million people with food baskets.

Also read:Ethiopia rejects ‘ethnic cleansing’

More than 146,000 displaced people have received emergency shelter and vital relief items and distribution is ongoing for nearly 60,000 people.

Over 630,000 people have received clean water, said the spokesman.

To date, two-thirds of the targeted districts have been accessed through 50 mobile health teams compared to 25 per cent last month.

The response is, however, still inadequate to reach an estimated 4.5 million people who need life-saving assistance, he said.

“We urgently need more funding to make sure we can urgently assist affected people.”

Ethiopia launched a military offensive in November 2020 to diminish the power of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which rules the region and has been critical of the central government.
Also read:Eritrean troops to leave Ethiopia’s Tigray

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Eritrean troops to leave Ethiopia’s Tigray

Ethiopian PM Ahmed said he the matter with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki during a visit to the capital Asmara…reports Asian Lite News

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Friday said Eritrea has agreed to withdraw its forces, days after he confirmed the presence of the neighbouring nation’s troops in the conflict-ridden Tigray region for the first time.

In a statement, Ahmed said he discussed the matter with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki during a visit to the capital Asmara, reports dpa news agency.

Eritrea agreed to withdraw forces and Ethiopia’s military will take over guarding the border areas immediately, Abiy said.

Ethiopia launched a military offensivein November 2020 to diminish the power of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which rules the region and has been critical of the central government.

The government declared the conflict over in early December 2020, although both the UN and US say there continue to be reports of ongoing clashes among the parties.

More than four months of fighting has left thousands dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

According to Ethiopian government figures, the conflict has displaced around 2.2 million people, while 4.5 million people are in need of emergency aid.

The Ethiopian government has recently allowed humanitarian access to Tigray, stressing that all entities operating in the state should abide by the laws of the land.

Also read:Ethiopia rejects ‘ethnic cleansing’