Diplomats are calling on Ethiopia’s federal authorities and their rivals in the northern region of Tigray to agree to a cease-fire as heavy fighting raises humanitarian fears.
Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed “grave concern” in a statement released on Sunday over the fighting and called for an “immediate unconditional cease-fire and resumption of humanitarian services.”
Recall that the AU-led peace talks were due to take place in South Africa earlier this month, but were postponed because of logistical and technical issues.
The warring parties had said they were ready to participate in the process, even though fighting persists in Tigray.
Mahamat added, “The Chairperson urges the Parties to recommit to dialogue as per their agreement to direct talks to be convened in South Africa by a high-level team led by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, and supported by the international community”.
