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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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US, UK, Ireland seek UNSC meet on Tigray

However, the decision to set up a date and time is up to France, which holds the Security Council Presidency in July….reports Asian Lite News

The United States, United Kingdom and Ireland have sought an emergency United Nations Security Council meeting to discuss the issues in Ethiopia’s war-torn Tigray, where rebel fighters were able to enter the regional capital of Mekele on Monday, according to reports quoting several sources.

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.

“I am deeply shocked by the murder of three MSF humanitarian workers in Tigray, Ethiopia. This is totally unacceptable and an appalling violation of international humanitarian law. The perpetrators must be found and severely punished,” he said in a statement late Saturday.

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)

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Guterres expressed solidarity with UN humanitarian partners who are risking their lives to provide protection and relief to people in Tigray, reports Xinhua news agency.

The trio were travelling on the afternoon of June 24 when the MSF lost contact with them.

The next morning, their vehicle was found empty and their bodies were lying a few meters away, according to the MSF.

Since November 2020, the Ethiopian government has been undertaking military operations against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, which ruled the region.

Guterres reiterated the need for all parties to uphold their responsibilities under international humanitarian law and international human rights law and to ensure the protection of civilians.

He called for an independent and swift investigation into this incident.

The UN chief further called for an immediate end to the fighting in Tigray and for urgent steps to peacefully resolve the conflict.

ALSO READ: Tigray crisis: Humanitarian situation worse than ever

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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