United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has appealed for an immediate ceasefire between rebels in the Tigray region and the Ethiopian army. He expressed deep concern over the fighting in northern Ethiopia and urged the parties to cease hostilities immediately. Guterres' spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, announced this in a statement released by the UN office in Addis Ababa. The Secretary-General emphasized the need for dialogue within the Pretoria Agreement framework.
The Pretoria Agreement ended the war in Tigray, which lasted from 2020 to 2022 and claimed 600,000 lives. Guterres warned of the risks of escalation that could further destabilize the Horn of Africa region. He also expressed concern over reports of Eritrean forces being present in Ethiopia. The Secretary-General reminded countries in the region of their obligation to refrain from threatening or using force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state.
Guterres called on countries with influence over the parties involved in the conflict to use it to ease tensions. He also urged them to refrain from actions that could fuel the conflict. Eritrea rejected accusations of aggression from Ethiopia on Friday, accusing Addis Ababa of launching an unprovoked war against Asmara. The Ethiopian Foreign Minister, Gedion Timothewos, demanded the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Tigray territory.
Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of supporting the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels. The Tigray Peace Forces (TPF), a militia formed by TPLF dissidents and allied with the Ethiopian army, reported the entry of Eritrean troops into the region. Eritrea and Ethiopia cut ties on October 1, fueled by Addis Ababa's ambitions to regain access to the Red Sea. Ethiopia also accuses Asmara of providing financial support to Ethiopian rebel groups, which Eritrea denies.
The situation worsened with the formation of an alliance between seven rebel groups and the opposition, including the TPLF, to overthrow the Ethiopian government. These developments revive fears of a new war similar to the 2020-2022 conflict, in which Eritrea supported Ethiopia against the TPLF. The Tigray region, located in northern Ethiopia, shares a border with Eritrea to the north and Sudan to the west.
The UN Secretary-General's appeal for a ceasefire comes amid rising tensions in the region. Guterres' statement emphasized the need for parties to respect the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and non-aggression. The international community is watching closely as the situation in northern Ethiopia continues to unfold.
The conflict in Tigray has significant implications for regional stability. The UN and other international organizations have called for restraint and dialogue to resolve the crisis. The situation remains volatile, with concerns about the humanitarian impact on civilians in the region.
Key points
- UN Secretary-General António Guterres calls for an immediate ceasefire in northern Ethiopia.
- The conflict in Tigray has significant implications for regional stability.
- Eritrea and Ethiopia have cut ties amid rising tensions.
