An Opening Act
ETHIOPIA
Tigrayan forces will withdraw from neighboring Ethiopian regions, a move seen as a step to a potential ceasefire to end a brutal year-long conflict that has killed thousands and ripped the country apart, CNN reported Tuesday.
Tigrayan leader Debretsion Gebremichael sent a letter to United Nations officials this week, saying the withdrawal will be “a decisive opening act for peace.” He hoped the move would end hostilities and initiate peace negotiations.
Apart from the withdrawal, Gebremichael also asked UN diplomats to “establish a mechanism to ensure the immediate and veritable cessation of all forms of hostilities” and “the total withdrawal of all external forces” in the region.
He also requested the creation of a no-fly zone over Tigray, except for humanitarian and civil aircraft, as well as an arms embargo on Ethiopia and Eritrea.
Since November 2020, Ethiopian federal troops have been fighting against forces in the north Tigrayan region. The conflict began when Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered the offensive following long disputes over the region’s governance.
Thousands have died, more than two million have been displaced and UN investigators have warned that parts of the war-torn region are facing a “man-made” famine.
However, Abiy has denied reports that Ethiopian soldiers harmed civilians or that troops from neighboring Eritrea joined the fight. He has also rejected allegations that it is blocking aid to the region.
Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Council has voted to form a commission that would probe human rights violations and abuses in the conflict.
The Ethiopian government said it would not cooperate with the commission.
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