BY JIBRIL TURE

In a statement released today, Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is concerned by reports of renewed hostilities in Ethiopia. In that statement, the top U.S diplomat stated:

“We call on the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to redouble efforts to advance talks to achieve a durable ceasefire without preconditions and ultimately bring a permanent end to the conflict.”

He remarked that thanks the humanitarian truce declared last March by the government of Ethiopia and reciprocated by the TPLF, the subsequent reduced violence has made it possible to deliver humanitarian assistance in the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions of Ethiopia:.

“Respect for this truce over the past five months has saved countless lives and enabled assistance to reach tens of thousands. Recent provocations on the battlefield, bellicose rhetoric, and the lack of a durable ceasefire now threaten this progress.”

Blinken fears that the resumption of hostilities will delay “the establishment of an inclusive political process to achieve progress towards common security and prosperity for all Ethiopians.” He pointed out that “return to active conflict would result in widespread suffering, human rights abuses, and further economic hardships, while playing into the hands of those that seek to undermine Ethiopia’s peace and security.”

The secretary welcomes the establishment by the government of Ethiopia of a negotiating team and its stated willingness to go to talks. Blinken added:

“We ask all parties to respect the provision of food and fuel by humanitarian actors and refrain from militarizing humanitarian relief and to work towards restoration of basic services for those in need.”

The United States, he also said, “remains fully committed to the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ethiopia and seeks peace and stability in Ethiopia.”

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