Ethiopia urges international community to condemn Tigray rebels, ambassador tells Sputnik
MOSCOW, (Sputnik) – The international community must persuade the rebels of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to accept the terms of a peace treaty agreed with the Ethiopian government, Ethiopian Ambassador to Moscow Alemayev Tegenu said on Sunday. told Sputnik.
Last month, the TPLF, a militia designated as a terrorist organization by the Ethiopian government, accused Addis Ababa of attacking their positions in the Amhara region. Ethiopian authorities denied the accusation and accused TPFL forces of resuming the fighting and attacking first.
“The international community must fully recognize the seriousness of the TPLF’s aggression in the Amhara and Afar regions and act without delay. The international community must recognize the government’s commitment to peace, support repeated calls for the TPLF to end hostilities, and pressure the TPLF to accept the peace declaration declared by the Ethiopian government. I have to call,” said the ambassador.
The diplomat also said a new phase of escalation in the conflict between the government and rebels was likely to continue, but the Ethiopian government was engaged in peace talks.
“This crisis is not just for one day. [the TPLF] Seeking to extend conflict to neighboring areas of Amhara and Afar. The government is committed to protecting civilians,” the ambassador added.
Tegenu also urged the rebels to return to respecting the peace treaty previously signed with the Ethiopian government.
“This issue can only be resolved through peace negotiations. We know how damaging war can be. Peace negotiations are the best way to benefit the region,” the diplomat stressed. .
The Ethiopian ambassador also called on the international community, especially UNICEF, to condemn children’s involvement in hostilities.
“They are mobilizing whole communities, among them many children under the age of 15. This mobilization is unacceptable. The international community, especially UNICEF, must condemn these actions, I didn’t condemn it,” the ambassador added. .
Ethiopia has experienced a bitter civil war since November 2020, when the central government accused the TPLF of attacking a military base and subsequently launched a counterterrorism operation in the region.
In June 2021, TPLF rebels captured Mek’ele city, the administrative center of Tigray province, and the government declared an unconditional ceasefire. However, the rebels soon launched a new offensive and took control of the southern Tigray and the adjacent Amhara region.
The ongoing conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced millions and created a devastating humanitarian crisis within the country. The humanitarian situation is exacerbated by recent drought conditions in the region.
https://sputniknews.com/20220904/ethiopia-urges-international-community-to-condemn-tigray-rebels-ambassador-tells-sputnik-1100357137.html Ethiopia urges international community to condemn Tigray rebels, ambassador tells Sputnik
