Nov 05, 2020(Nyamilepedia) — The United Nations and the United States of America have expressed concern over the ongoing-armed clashes in the northern Tigray region in Ethiopia calling for immediate measures to de-escalate tensions and ensure a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
In a press statement seen by Nyamilepedia, UN Secretary-General office regrets that civilians have been killed during the recent fighting between the army and the Tigray People Liberation Front(TPLF) in Tigray region.
“The Secretary-General expresses his grave concern over reports of recent inter-communal violence and attacks targeting civilians in Ethiopia. These attacks have reportedly killed many civilians and injured several others. He expresses his deep condolences to the families of the victims and wishes speedy recovery to the injured,” the statement read.
The statement stressed that the Secretary-General calls for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.
He also appealed to all stakeholders to take urgent steps to calm tensions in the country and to resolve challenges through an inclusive and peaceful dialogue.
“The Secretary-General reiterates the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the Government in its efforts towards ensuring a stable and prosperous Ethiopia, which will contribute to further strengthening peace and sustainable development in the Horn of Africa,” the statement read.
In seperate statement, the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US was “deeply concerned” about the attacks and urged called for immediate action to restore the peace and de-escalate tensions
“We are deeply concerned by reports that the Tigray People’s Liberation Front carried out attacks on Ethiopian National Defense Force bases in Ethiopia’s Tigray region. We urge immediate action to restore the peace and de-escalate tensions.” He wrote on twitter.
Meanwhile, the International Crisis Group said Ethiopia was facing “grave political challenges”.
“This war is the worst possible outcome of the tensions that have been brewing,” it said in a statement.
Ethiopia has suffered multiple outbreaks of violence since Abiy took office. Federal troops and regional forces clashed in the northern region on Wednesday while over the weekend, gunmen killed 32 people and torched more than 20 houses in another part of the country in the west.
