US Calls For Unconditional Ceasefire In Northern Ethiopia

By Samuel Ouma [caption id="attachment_101508" align="alignnone" width="624"] Secretary Blinken and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy.Photo credit AP[/caption] The United States has raised concerns over reports of increasing violence, loss of life, indiscriminate targeting of civilians, and destruction in the conflict in northern Ethiopia, particularly around the Shire in the Tigray region. In a statement, Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State, called on the Ethiopian National Defense Forces and Eritrean Defense Forces to immediately halt their joint military offensive and for Eritrea to withdraw its forces from northern Ethiopia. Blinken further asked the Tigrayan Defense Forces to cease provocative actions. “The fighting since the August 24 operation by the Tigrayan Defense Forces near Kobo in the Amhara Region contributed to the return to hostilities, which greatly increases the risk of atrocities and further human rights abuses,” said Blinken. “We reiterate that the government of Ethiopia and Tigray regional authorities should immediately cease all hostilities and participate seriously in the forthcoming African Union-led peace talks.  The United States is fully engaged with the African Union, the governments of Kenya and South Africa, and other international and regional partners to organize and mediate peace talks as soon as possible," he added. He also urged armed actors to respect and protect civilians and allow unhindered humanitarian access to all Ethiopians in need.