EU Foreign Ministers expressed their extreme concern about the deteriorating situation in Tigray, Ethiopia, on Monday 19 April by video conference, reiterating once again the EU’s demands for full humanitarian access, an independent investigation into allegations of serious human rights violations and the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops.
Despite announcements by the Ethiopian government, these requests have gone unheeded, lamented High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, in the light of a report by Finnish Minister Pekka Haavisto on his second mission to the country (see EUROPE 12700/13).
“Progress remains very limited in Tigray. Fighting is ongoing, humanitarian access is still prevented, Eritrean troops are not withdrawing and human rights violations continue. Our colleague, Mr Haavisto, was able to visit Mekele, the capital of Tigray, and see first-hand how urgent is the need for a monitored ceasefire to improve security conditions in order to make humanitarian work possible”, the High Representative told the press.
He added: “The withdrawal of Eritrean troops, which has been announced so many times, must become a reality immediately”.
Referring to the report of the UN Commission on Human Rights, which a week ago raised allegations of massive human rights violations, war crimes and gender-based violence, Borrell said he encouraged the joint deployment of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission and the UNHCR human rights office to investigate. “Those responsible will have to be held accountable” for their actions, he said.
Furthermore, according to Mr Borrell, “the government must show commitment to the organisation of a national dialogue in the run-up for the forthcoming election”. Before the video conference, he noted that sanctions could be applied by the EU if the Ethiopian government did not keep its promises regarding the situation in Tigray.
The High Representative informed Ministers of his decision to send an election observation mission for the next elections, “unless the situation deteriorates further”. He said that the EU would be monitoring the situation closely in the coming days to see if it could confirm this decision, taking into account the fact that elections cannot be held in Tigray.
At a time when Borrell wants to initiate discussion on a future EU strategy towards Ethiopia that goes beyond the Tigray crisis, Slovenian minister Anže Logar, whose country will hold the rotating presidency of the Foreign Affairs Council in July, said that Ethiopia is “the most important partner in Africa for the European Union at the moment”.
Over €53 million in humanitarian aid. On Monday, the EU announced an additional €53.7 million in humanitarian aid for the most vulnerable people in Ethiopia, particularly those affected by the conflict in Tigray. These funds will help cover the most pressing needs of the displaced population and those who host them.
The European Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarčič, will be in Ethiopia on Tuesday 20 April, where he will meet with the Deputy Prime Minister, Demeke Mekonnen.
“The situation in Tigray remains severe despite slight improvements, keeping millions of people in need of assistance. The key priority therefore remains to ensure humanitarian access to all those in need in Tigray. The safety and security of humanitarian personnel must be ensured, in accordance with International Humanitarian Law”, he said in a statement on Monday. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)