Ethiopia, October 10 (Daily Kiran) : United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has voiced deep concern over the resurgence of fighting in northern Ethiopia. He has called on all parties involved to immediately cease hostilities.
Guterres’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated that the Secretary-General is particularly worried about the renewed conflict in the Tigray, Afar, and Amhara regions. He urged all sides to halt the fighting and encouraged the signatories to the Pretoria Agreement to resume negotiations.
According to reports from Xinhua News Agency, Guterres warned that escalating conflict could severely impact stability across the region. He reminded all countries in the area of their responsibilities under the UN Charter, emphasizing the need to avoid the use of force or threats against any nation’s territorial integrity or political independence, as well as refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of other countries.
Additionally, Guterres appealed to nations with influence over the conflicting parties to assist in de-escalating tensions and to avoid actions that could exacerbate the situation. He affirmed the UN’s readiness to provide all possible support for dialogue and resolution.
In the meantime, UN humanitarian officials reported that for the first time since the recent violence erupted, a convoy of relief supplies and aid workers has reached the Tigray region. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) indicated that four trucks from the World Food Programme (WFP) arrived in the Tigray capital, Mekele, carrying 90 metric tons of relief materials aimed at treating severe malnutrition.
OCHA also noted that food assistance distribution in Tigray had resumed earlier in the week. Furthermore, humanitarian workers who had been stranded in the capital Addis Ababa and the Afar region have now arrived in Mekele, aiding in the continuation of life-saving relief efforts.
Despite these developments, OCHA highlighted that the needs of those affected by the fighting that began on August 1 near the Tigray-Eritrea border are continually increasing. There is an urgent need for more relief supplies and emergency assistance.
OCHA reiterated the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians and ensuring that essential aid reaches those in need without interruption, while also maintaining operational health facilities.
Leave a Comment