In the face of the escalating civil war in Ethiopia between the Tigrayan rebels and the government, the EU called on all parties to the conflict to immediately renounce arms, which have led to an already catastrophic humanitarian situation, and to engage in political negotiations, in the interest of the people, the country and regional stability.
“After one year of fighting, the conflict in northern Ethiopia has further worsened and expanded, creating a devastating humanitarian crisis, undermining the territorial integrity and stability of the country and impacting the whole region”, said the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in a statement issued on Thursday 4 November on behalf of the EU27.
“The EU is particularly worried about the recent escalation of fighting in the Amhara region and the military advances of the TPLF and Oromo Liberation Army (OLA), as well as aerial bombardment by the Ethiopian Airforce of Mekelle, all of which risk dragging the country further into fragmentation and widespread armed conflict and worsening the situation of the population”, the statement continues.
Reiterating that “there is no military solution”, the EU calls on all parties “to implement a meaningful ceasefire with immediate effect and engage in political negotiations without pre-conditions, showing responsibility and political leadership”.
It reiterates, as well, its “call for the full and immediate withdrawal of Eritrean troops”.
The EU also welcomed the publication, on 3 November, of the joint investigation report of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on the impact of the armed conflict until June 2021, and the statement by Michelle Bachelet. The latter reported possible war crimes and crimes against humanity (see EUROPE 12825/10).
The report, as well as the statement, stresses that ethnic violence, torture and ill-treatment of civilians and captured combatants, sexual and gender-based violence including rape, looting of property, destruction of infrastructure and religious sites, violations of international humanitarian law as well as other human rights violations and abuses, must stop immediately. It calls for independent, transparent and impartial accountability and further investigation of atrocities committed after June 2021.
The EU is asking for “a swift and full implementation of the recommendations of the joint report”.
It reiterates its support for the African Union mediation efforts for peace and calls for an inclusive national dialogue.
The EU “remains ready to use all its foreign policy tools, including restrictive measures, to promote peace, adherence to international humanitarian and human rights law, and help end conflict”. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)