Four African countries have issued a joint statement calling for a de-escalation of tensions in the region, including the conflicts in Sudan and Ethiopia. The statement was signed by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, Somali President Hassan Mohamud, and Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. The countries emphasized the need for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflicts. They also stressed that cross-border challenges require a collaborative approach.
The joint statement was issued at the end of a meeting in New Alamein City, Egypt. The countries declared that they stand for dialogue, not confrontation, in addressing regional challenges. This call for de-escalation comes amid growing tensions between Ethiopia's federal government and authorities in the northern Tigray region. The situation has raised concerns that it could lead to another devastating war in the country.
The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region has seen renewed armed clashes between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). Two weeks ago, the TPLF seized control of Mekelle and the Alula Aba Nega Airport. However, government and allied forces retook the city of Mekelle on Sunday. The TPLF said it had "temporarily moved out of" Tigray's regional capital to "operate from somewhere else."
The Tigray interim leader, Abraham Belay, accused the government of preparing a new temporary administration for the region. He also said that the region hopes to hold regional elections within months. Meanwhile, Ethiopia has accused neighboring Eritrea of directly backing the rebel alliance during Ethiopia's 2022 civil war. It also accused Egypt and Sudan of backing the armed alliance in the recent confrontation.
Sudan, which has been at war since April 2023, has accused Ethiopia of interfering in its crisis. The Sudanese army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, signed the joint statement, which also demanded that coastal states retain control of the Red Sea. This stance appears to respond to Ethiopia's pursuit of sovereign access to the sea and a naval presence.
The four countries' call for de-escalation and dialogue is seen as a significant development in the region. The joint statement reflects a shared commitment to finding peaceful solutions to the conflicts. The countries' leaders emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to addressing regional challenges.
The situation in Ethiopia and the region remains complex and volatile. The conflict in Tigray and Sudan's civil war have significant humanitarian and economic implications. The international community is closely watching the developments, and the four countries' call for de-escalation and dialogue is seen as a positive step towards finding a peaceful resolution.
Key points
- Egypt, Eritrea, Somalia, and Sudan call for dialogue to resolve regional conflicts
- The joint statement demands that coastal states retain control of the Red Sea
- The conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region and Sudan's civil war have significant humanitarian and economic implications
