Western powers welcome Ethiopia’s ‘humanitarian truce’

ADDIS ABABA – Western powers on Friday welcomed the declaration of humanitarian truce by the government of Ethiopia and the rebellious Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

On Thursday afternoon, Ethiopian federal government declared a unilateral humanitarian truce that is “effective immediately” and called on donor community to redouble its efforts to help deliver aid into troubled Tigray region.

Overnight, the TPLF reciprocated the government gesture and declared an equally immediate cessation of hostilities vowing to try its ‘best to give peace a chance’, but urged the government in Addis Ababa not to jeopardize the latest truce.

In a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country welcomes the decision by the Ethiopian government to declare cessation of hostility and said the declaration should be followed by movement of life-saving assistance.

“The United States welcomes and strongly supports the declaration today by the Government of Ethiopia of an indefinite humanitarian truce, effective immediately, and the commitment to work in collaboration with humanitarian organizations to expedite the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need,” Blinken said in a statement.

“We expect this declaration to be quickly followed by the movement of life-saving assistance,” he added.

The top US diplomat said “This commitment to a cessation of hostilities should be a critical step towards the resumption and sustainment of humanitarian assistance to the people in Tigray and all Ethiopian regions and communities in need.”

“It should also serve as an essential foundation of an inclusive political process to achieve progress towards common security and prosperity for all the people of Ethiopia.  In the context of this commitment, we reiterate our call for an immediate end to the violence committed against civilians by all parties to the conflict and underscore that any lasting solution to the conflict must involve accountability for those responsible for atrocities.

“The United States urges all parties to build on this announcement to advance a negotiated and sustainable ceasefire, including necessary security arrangements.  The United States will continue to do everything possible to assist and to help the people of Ethiopia to advance a peaceful future.”

In another statement, the European Union mission in Ethiopia welcomed the declaration by the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front and said it is ready to support humanitarian efforts in the country.

“The EU welcomes the declaration of a humanitarian truce by the [government] of Ethiopia and the statement on cessation of hostilities by the Tigrayan Authorities,” the EU said in a brief statement on Twitter.

“The EU stands ready to support speedy delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need,” it added.