SAWT BEIRUT INTERNATIONAL

| 28 March 2024, Thursday |

African Union chair calls for unconditional ceasefire, peace talks in Ethiopia

The African Union head called on all involved in Ethiopia’s two-year-old war in northern Tigray to adopt an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and agree to direct peace negotiations on Sunday.

AU Chair Moussa Faki expressed great worry about reports of growing violence in Tigray.

The AU issued a statement saying, “The chairperson firmly appeals for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire and the resumption of humanitarian services.”

Ethiopian government spokesperson Legesse Tulu, military spokesperson Colonel Getnet Adane, Redwan Hussein, national security advisor to the prime minister Abiy Ahmed and Abiy’s spokesperson Billene Seyoum did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Getachew Reda, a spokesperson for the Tigray forces, did not respond to requests for comment.

The Ethiopian government and its allies have been battling Tigray forces on and off since late 2020. The violence has killed thousands of civilians and uprooted millions.

African Union-led peace talks proposed for earlier this month were delayed for logistical reasons.

Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict.

    Source:
  • Reuters