The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday expressed deep concern about the expansion and intensification of violent clashes in northern Ethiopia.
In a joint press statement, the 15 members of the UN’s most powerful body called for an immediate end to hostilities in Ethiopia, urging the warring sides to negotiate a lasting ceasefire.
The UNSC called the troops to the conflict to refrain from using inflammatory hate speech and incitement to violence and divisiveness.
The member countries urged them to put an end to hostilities and to negotiate a lasting ceasefire saying that it could be the beginning of an inclusive Ethiopian national dialogue to resolve the crisis and create the foundation for peace and stability throughout the country.
The statement called for the respect of international humanitarian law, for safe and unhindered humanitarian access, the re-establishment of public services, and the scaling up of humanitarian assistance.
The Members of the Security Council reiterated their support for the role of the African Union (AU) and its High Representative for the Horn of African Region, Olusegun Obasanjo.
The UNSC also reaffirmed its full support and a strong commitment to Ethiopia’s sovereignty, unity, political independence, and territorial integrity.
A public meeting of the UNSC council is scheduled for Monday.
Last November, heavy fighting erupted between the Ethiopian government troops and those loyal to the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in which thousands of people have lost their lives.
In related news, the United States government on Friday called out all the Americans living in Ethiopia to leave the country as soon as possible, as fears mount of Tigrayan rebel fighters marching towards Addis Ababa.
“The security environment in Ethiopia is very fluid. We advise US citizens who are in Ethiopia to leave the country as soon as possible,” the US Embassy in Ethiopia said in a statement.
