The conflicts between the Ethiopian Federal Army and the TPLF Tigrayan movement, which has now been going on for 20 days, are causing increasing concern. Several states, including Ethiopia’s allies, are withdrawing their reserves.
The latest reports come from the United States. Through a vote from the National Security Council, they said on Monday that they supported African Union mediation work (UA) to “end now” the conflict. France, which has been discreet for three weeks, has also expressed its support for the AU’s initiative and its concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation. Quai d’Orsay also condemned “Ethnic violence” and calls for “the introduction of measures to protect civilians as soon as possible”.
A position shared by the British Government’s Minister for Africa, James Duddridge, as well as the European Union, by his High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrel, last weekend. A public appeal, signed by 51 former senior European officials and academics, was also launched on Tuesday morning, calling on the EU to appoint a special envoy on the subject. his first meeting on the war in Tigray.
On the NGO side, Amnesty International and FIDH organizations have also supported the same positions. They recalled that they feared that war crimes were being committed right now. The UN High Commissioner for Refugees, for his part, called for an “immediate ceasefire” on Tuesday to allow for the opening of humanitarian corridors.
The ultimatum expires on Wednesday
20 days after the start of the conflict, Tigray is still cut off from the world and each other’s accusations cannot be verified in their current form. As said the warriors are preparing for the battle of Mekele and very fierce battles have already taken place in disputed cities, such as Shire, Aksum, and Adigrat.
TPLF rockets fell again near the Amhara city of Bahir Dar overnight, while residents of some neighborhoods in the Eritrean capital Asmara were ordered to stay at home, but without explanation. More than 38,000 refugees from Tigray have already been identified in neighboring Sudan due to the violence. In addition, the ultimatum launched by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Regional leaders, who quit on Wednesday, raised fears of further violence against civilians.
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