Ethiopia: Statement by High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell
on his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr Demeke Mekonnen
Today in Brussels, I met with Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, Mr Demeke
Mekonnen. Ethiopia is undergoing challenging times. I expressed
my great concern regarding increasing ethnic-targeted violence,
numerous casualties and violations of human rights and of
international humanitarian law. I also conveyed my analysis that
this conflict is already seriously destabilising the region.
I also discussed the deterioration of the
humanitarian situation, in Ethiopia and in the region, notably
in Sudan. International Humanitarian Law needs to be upheld. On
behalf of the EU, I have called for safe and free movement and
protection of civilians, vulnerable groups and IDPs.
The message of the EU is clear: we call on all
parties to put in place the conditions that will facilitate
unimpeded access to people in need, the cessation of
hostilities, the non-interference of any external party, and the
freedom of the media. Engagement with the High-Level Envoys
appointed by the Chair of the African Union should open the door
for a dialogue that is the only way forward to avoid further
destabilisation.
UK parliament. discusses Ethiopia and Tigray....UN
Security Council to discuss today despite Africa's opposition to the
meeting...Asmara alert still on US Embassy in Asmara website
Event: The
Embassy received
reports today that neighborhood wardens in some areas of Asmara, at the
instruction of Eritrean government officials, have advised residents to
remain indoors this evening. All U.S. Citizens in Asmara are advised to
continue to exercise caution, remain in their homes, and conduct only
essential travel until further notice.
"
The parties to the conflict have been offered mediation;
this must be taken up now."
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
11/25/2020
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas today issued the following
statement on the armed conflict and humanitarian situation in the Tigray
region in northern Ethiopia:
Ethiopia
and its neighbouring countries have already had to face huge challenges
this year in the form of floods, the locust invasion and COVID‑19. And
now there is the armed conflict in the Tigray region, which is dividing
the country, harming the people and having an impact on neighbouring
states. This is extremely dangerous.
In order to respond directly to
the emergency and to provide life-saving assistance, we have now
decided to top up our humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia by a
further five million euro. We will make this funding available to
the Country-Based Pooled Fund and thus to aid workers on the ground
so that they can help people who have lost their homes or are
fleeing from the fighting.
What is needed to resolve the conflict is a political process that
starts with de-escalation and dialogue and continues the course of
reform launched by Prime Minister Abiy. The parties to the conflict
have been offered mediation; this must be taken up now.
Ethiopia's Tigray crisis: UN urges protection of
civilians (in Mekele)
Mon, November 23, 2020, 8:03 AM EST
The UN has urged Ethiopian authorities to ensure the
protection of civilians as the army plans to attack the
capital of the northern region of Tigray.
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Sunday announced a 72-hour deadline
for the region's fighters to surrender.
The army warned Mekelle's 500,000 residents that soldiers would
"encircle" the city and attack it.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), which controls the
mountainous region, has vowed to keep fighting.
The conflict has reportedly killed hundreds and displaced
thousands in recent weeks. The UN has warned it could trigger a
humanitarian crisis.
Read More
Joe
Biden's Secretary of State pick Tony Blinken tweeted November 18, 2020 "Deeply concerned about
the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, reports of targeted ethnic
violence, and the risk to regional peace and security. The TPLF and
Ethiopian authorities should take urgent steps to end the conflict,
enable humanitarian access, and protect civilians."
"
Ambassador Susan Rice tweets that attack on Mekele would be a war
crime!!
ኣባላት
ጸጥታ ኢትዮጵያ፣ ኣብ ኣዲስ ኣበባ ዝመደበሮም፣ ብ'ህወሓት' ይምወሉ ኔሮም
ንዝበልዎም ተቓወምቲ ኤርትራ ይሃድኑ ምህላዎም ምንጭታት ካብታ ከተማ ሓቢሮም።
11/25/2020
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas today issued the following
statement on the armed conflict and humanitarian situation in the Tigray
region in northern Ethiopia:
Joe
Biden's Secretary of State pick Tony Blinken tweeted November 18, 2020
