African Union calls for full ceasefire and humanitarian aid access in Tigray

African Union calls for full ceasefire and humanitarian aid access in Tigray

The African Union has called on all parties to the conflict in the Ethiopian region of Tigray, to stop all hostilities and ensure safe access to humanitarian aid.

In a statement, the Union also welcomed the ceasefire in Tigray and called on the Ethiopian authorities to work for a comprehensive solution to pave the way for a lasting peace in the territory.

The Union’s call came at a time when the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TFLP) forces announced that they had forced Ethiopian government forces to flee the regional capital Mekelle on Tuesday, after taking full control of the city in a major shift in the eight-month conflict.

On November 4, 2020, clashes broke out in the region between the Ethiopian army and militants of the regional ruling party Tigray People’s Liberation Front, after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered government forces to enter the northern region in response to an earlier attack against an Ethiopian army base.

On 28 November, Addis Ababa announced the end of Operation Law Enforcement, intending to take full control of the territory.

Several reports of continued human rights violations in the region have surfaced since the beginning of the conflict, with thousands of civilians reported killed and more than 2 million people displaced.