AU urges restraint amid rising tensions in Northern Ethiopia
He noted the need for the commencement of political dialogue as the most viable means to address the issues in the contested areas, as outlined in the COHA.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has expressed deep concern over the escalating tensions between local communities in northern Ethiopia, particularly in disputed areas such as Raya Alamata, Zata, and Ofla.
He has called for an immediate halt to hostilities and emphasised the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians to prevent further displacement of the local population.
More To Read
- Faith under fire: How social media fuels rising attacks on religions, followers in Ethiopia
- Daua Dam, irrigation masterplan gain momentum after high-level talks in Nairobi
- Kenya steps up border checks as Ethiopia confirms outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
- Technology of freedom, risk of violence: Digital divide facing women in post-war Tigray
- Cultural victory as Ethiopia recovers 12 artefacts taken to Germany in the 1920s
- ONLF accuses Ethiopia of breaching 2018 peace deal as Somali Region tensions rise
"He appeals for the respect and full implementation of the Agreement for lasting peace through a permanent cessation of hostilities (COHA), signed between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 2, in Pretoria, South Africa," read a statement issued by the AU Commission.
He noted the need for the commencement of political dialogue as the most viable means to address the issues in the contested areas, as outlined in the COHA.
The United Nations has reported a staggering increase in the number of internally displaced persons in Ethiopia's northern region, with over 50,000 people forced to flee their homes amid renewed conflict.
This figure has tripled from the initial estimate of 15,000 just days prior, highlighting the severity of the situation.
The escalation in displacement follows clashes that erupted last Saturday, prompting tens of thousands of residents to seek refuge in the nearby town of Kobo for safety.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, vulnerable populations, particularly women and children, are in urgent need of comprehensive humanitarian assistance to survive amidst the crisis.
Despite efforts by the government and humanitarian partners to provide aid, including food and health services, resources are strained and struggling to keep up with the escalating needs of the affected population.
The conflict has intensified following a renewed military offensive by the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) after the signing of the Pretoria agreement aimed at ending a two-year war between the Federal government and the TPLF.
The TPLF has seized control of areas adjacent to Alamata, claiming them as part of Tigray based on constitutional grounds.
Top Stories Today
