UN Secretary General António Guterres has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, as fighting resumed in Ethiopia’s civil war in the north of the country after a five-month lull.
This is after fighting erupted on Wednesday around the southern edge of Tigray, with both the government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels accusing each other of resuming hostilities and torpedoing a five-month-old ceasefire.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the resumption of hostilities in Ethiopia… My strong appeal is… for the resumption of peace talks between the government and the TPLF with, at the same time, the full guarantee of humanitarian access to people in need and the re-establishment of public services,” said Guterres.
Reports of fresh offensives were followed by Ethiopia’s air force announcing it had downed a plane carrying weapons for the TPLF.
The government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the rebels have accused each other of undermining efforts to peacefully resolve the brutal 21-month war in Africa’s second-most populous nation, and traded blame over who was responsible for returning to combat.
The head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, has also called for a de-escalation and the resumption of talks to seek a peaceful solution.
The conflict which began in November 2020 in Tigray, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of civilians and left millions in need of food aid.
A newsmaker, reporter and anchor at Pearl Radio, Ndalilah Sharon is witty and savvy.
She is also a firm believer of Christ.