UN rights chief warns Ethiopia against a return to full-scale war
Volker Turk says he is deeply alarmed by the escalation; the UN says airstrikes hit five schools in Tigray and a drone struck a food aid truck.
The UAE Minister of State, Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al Nahyan, expressed "full solidarity with the government and people of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia" and rejected any attempt to alter Ethiopia's constitutional order through force or armed action, the state news agency WAM reported. He called for an immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians and adherence to the Pretoria peace agreement.
African Union Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said he was gravely concerned by escalating hostilities in the Tigray and Afar regions and called for "utmost restraint and immediate cessation of all actions" that could escalate tensions. He said the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement "remains the cornerstone of sustainable peace, stability and reconciliation in Ethiopia", and that the seizure of the civilian airports at Mekelle, Axum and Shire by Tigray forces "is inconsistent with the commitments and obligations" under it. He urged neighbouring countries to refrain from actions that could contribute to further escalation and to support de-escalation and dialogue.
Japan's Foreign Ministry condemned the TPLF's military actions, including the seizure of regional airports, and said it was deeply concerned that the situation in northern Ethiopia has been deteriorating since 23 September. The ministry said the 2022 Pretoria Agreement must be upheld, reaffirmed support for African Union-led mediation, and called on all parties "to refrain from actions that could aggravate the conflict" and to ensure humanitarian access to affected populations.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said he was deeply alarmed by the escalation in Ethiopia and urged the parties to de-escalate immediately to avoid a return to full-scale war. The UN Human Rights Office said Ethiopian airstrikes hit five schools in Tigray on 22 September.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, said he was deeply alarmed by the escalation of fighting in northern Ethiopia and urged the parties to de-escalate immediately to avoid a return to full-scale war.
The UN Human Rights Office said Ethiopian National Defence Force airstrikes hit five schools in Tigray on 22 September, causing deaths and injuries, and that a mortar strike in Kobo in the Amhara region on 23 September killed civilians. It said it had also documented allegations of forced mass recruitment of civilians and children by the TPLF, and reports of killings, torture, arbitrary detention and forced displacement by both sides.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said Secretary-General Antonio Guterres was following developments closely and engaging with leaders to de-escalate the crisis, and voiced concern at the use of drones and at harm to civilians. He said a drone strike had hit a truck carrying food assistance in north-western Tigray. The UN Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Guang Cong, is engaging national and regional interlocutors in coordination with the African Union and IGAD.
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