Conflict in Ethiopia - Africa Union Calls for Immediate Cessation of Hostilities

Northern Tigray Conflict threatening to spread to other parts of the country

 

By Nicholas Waigwa 

Chairperson of African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat has in a statement released November 3, 2021 on the situation in Ethiopia called for immediate cessation of hostilities.

Faki Mahamat also urged parties to engage in dialogue for a peaceful solution. Ethiopia's government has for the past one year been battling with regional forces in Northern Tigray region.

On November 2, 2021 the government declared a nationwide state of emergency in a move aimed at protecting civilians from atrocities committed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Small scale traders by the roadside in Ethiopia

Citizens are required to carry identification documents all the time, and they have also been warned against illegal trading or any activities that would constitute to economic sabotage.

Media houses have also been cautioned against broadcasts or publications that might appear to be promoting the TPLF group.

State of emergency compounding the escalating conflict

Deed Misgana from Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa told this reporter in an interview that, “…the state of emergency is making things worse, it restricts people's daily life and is going to affect businesses. Government is forcing citizens to take up arms instead of setting the table for dialogue.”

According to Misgana Ethiopia currently needs, "...a state of urgency for a political dialogue." He opines that the government has a legal duty and moral responsibility to safeguard Ethiopia's existence and sovereignty.

Misgana hopes that conflicting parties will heed advice from the African Union Commission to engage in dialogue.

African Union Commission leadership had slightly over a year ago implored upon all parties to safeguard the nation's territorial integrity, unity and national sovereignty and reaffirmed its continued readiness to support Ethiopia in their pursuit of peace and stability.

Faki Mahamat has in his recent appeal underscored the importance for the respect of life, property of civilians, state infrastructure and further urged parties to dissuade their supporters from engaging in any acts of reprisal, hate speech or incitement to violence.

“The Chairperson reminds the parties of their international obligations regarding compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law, with particular regard to the protection of civilians and ensuring access to humanitarian assistance by communities in need.” Reads part of the AUC statement.

Conflict forced US government to suspend Ethiopia from AGOA

According to a report on ABC News, the US government has suspended Ethiopia's preferential status under the African Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) for what President Joe Biden termed “gross violation of internationally recognized human rights” in a recent message to Congress.

Suspension of Ethiopia from AGOA preference program effective January 2022 denies the populous Horn of Africa nation access to the US market. The move is expected to push conflicting parties to dialogue, but some analysts have already warned that such a suspension is very likely to have an adverse effect on the country's economy.