The worsening security and humanitarian situation in Ethiopia since the resumption of fighting on 24 August in Tigray, in the north of the country, was briefly discussed by the EU27 foreign ministers, on Monday 17 October, leading the High Representative of the Union, Josep Borrell, to urge the warring parties to seriously engage in peace talks, with results to back them up, under the mediation of the African Union.
“Never has the security and humanitarian situation been so serious”, the High Representative told the press after the session. He reiterated the EU’s demands made months ago, long before the short-lived truce ended this summer.
“We call for unhindered humanitarian access to Tigray, an immediate cessation of hostilities, a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Eritrean troops. We call for those responsible for violations of human rights and international law to be held accountable for their actions”, said the High Representative.
He added: “We call on the Ethiopian and Eritrean leaders to engage in peace talks and to implement the African Union mediation, which we support”.
For Mr Borrell, this mediation must continue, with the aim of rapidly leading to a political process, “because there can be no military solution to this crisis. The solution can only be political”.
On the sidelines of the session, the Belgian Minister, Hadja Lahbib, spoke of the risks of this conflict for the whole region. “The EU must find ways to bridge the gap between Sudan, Ethiopia and Eritrea and prevent a regional spread that could increase suffering and spread to millions of men, women and children”, she said. She also mentioned that she had stressed the “responsibility to protect”, which falls to the international community if a government fails to do so. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang with Camille-Cerise Gessant)