The government of Ethiopia has announced a “humanitarian ceasefire’ in its 16-month conflict with forces from the northern Tigray region.
This civil war has left nearly five million people needing more food aid, yet none has been delivered to Tigray since mid-December.
This announcement follows a visit to Ethiopia by US Special representative for the Horn of Africa David Satterfield.
However, the Tigrayan forces did not give any kind of response to this move by the government.
According to Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization from Tigray has explained the whole situation there was “catastrophic” and accused the Ethiopian government of preventing aid from getting through.
Ethiopia blames the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for stopping supplies from reaching those in need.
There are some reports that indicate that people are dying from hunger or the lack of medical supplies.
As per the World Health Organization (WHO) reports of January, almost 40 percent of Tigrayans are suffering from “an extreme lack of food”. Nearly 50 percent of women, especially pregnant women and breastfeeding women, are also found to be malnourished.
As per their statement, which they gave on Thursday, the government said the ceasefire was “indefinite” and “effective immediately” but added that it would only improve people’s lives in the country’s north if the move were reciprocated.
It is also called Tigray forces to “stop further aggression and withdraw from areas they have occupied in their neighbouring region.
The fighting happened in November 2020 after tensions among the federal government and the TPLF governed Tigray in the following months.
According to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the conflict was over when the national forces seized the provincial capital Mekelle. But the TPLF later fought back and regained control of much of Tigray.
Mr Abiy declared a unilateral ceasefire after the rebels retook Mekelle in June. However, the TPLF has stated that it will not comply with this unless it is recognised as the legitimate authority in Tigray.
Thousands of people have been killed as a result of the protracted conflict, which has left a humanitarian disaster in its wake.
The government is now hoping that the ceasefire will “pave the way for the resolution of the conflict… without further bloodshed.”
The protracted conflict has led to thousands being killed and left a humanitarian disaster in its wake.
The government now says that it hopes the truce will “pave the way for the resolution of the conflict… without further bloodshed”.
Thousands of people have been killed as a result of the protracted conflict, which has left a humanitarian disaster in its wake.
The government is now hoping that the ceasefire will “pave the way for the resolution of the conflict without further bloodshed.”