Ethiopia tells EU rebel TPLF ‘beating drums of war’ despite gov’t peace efforts

ADDIS ABABA – The Ethiopian government has appealed to the European Union (EU) to compel the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) into stopping what it calls “unhelpful and destructive” activities saying the group has continued to beat drums of war despite government efforts to bring about lasting peace in the country.

The Ethiopian government made the appeal during a meeting between the deputy prime minister and foreign minister Demeke Mekonnen and EU envoy for the Horn of  Africa Annette Weber in which the two discussed the ongoing efforts by the government and international organizations to deliver aid into the war-hit Tigray region.

Over the past week, the ere have been reports that TPLF leaders have ordered mobilization in an apparent preparation for yet another conflict that many in the TPLF leadership believes would be the only way to bring the government in Addis Ababa to the negotiating tables.

In a statement, the ministry of foreign affairs said the deputy prime minister and foreign minister briefed the EU envoy on the government efforts to make sure that aid is delivered to the war-hit Tigray were aid agencies have said that millions are at the verge of starvation.

“Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister H.E. Demeke Mekonnen met and discussed on Friday (May 14) with Dr. Annette Weber, EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke about the humanitarian supply to conflict-affected people in the northern part of the country and other regional matters,” the Ethiopian foreign ministry said.

“He briefed the EU special representative about the accelerated unfettered humanitarian access created for partners, including the WFP following the declaration of the humanitarian truce.  The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke about the peace-building steps taken by the government, including the formation of the national dialogue commission that aimed to address critical issues in the country,” the statement added.

The statement said the senior government official also highlighted during the meeting the government commitment to bringing about a last peace into the East African country, but then blamed TPLF for the continued suffering of people of the Tigray region.

“The Government of Ethiopia has also established a ministerial committee comprising about 100 people from various law enforcement bodies to bring perpetrators of human rights abuses before justice,” the statement quoted the deputy PM as saying.

“Despite all the measures taken to ensure lasting peace, unfettered access to humanitarians, and accountability over human rights abuses, the TPLF has continued beating war drums for another round of conflict,” the top Ethiopian official told the EU official, according to the statement.

The deputy PM further said “the European Union should compel the TPLF to take accountability for its actions and put restraints on its unhelpful and destructive urge to spark another round of conflict.”