United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warns the "situation in Ethiopia is spiraling out of control." Speaking today to reporters at the United Nations in New York, Mr. Guterres expressed his grave concern about the escalation of the fighting in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, which is having a devastating impact on civilians in what is already a dire humanitarian situation. The UN chief also called for an immediate cessation of hostilities.
"Violence and destruction have reached alarming levels. The social fabric is being ripped apart. Hostilities in the Tigray region of Ethiopia must end now – including the immediate withdrawal and disengagement of Eritrean armed forces from Ethiopia, " Mr. Guterres said.
According to the United Nations, indiscriminate attacks in the war zone - including in residential areas - are killing civilians every day, damaging critical infrastructure and limiting access to vital services. Hundreds of thousands of people in Northern Ethiopia have been forced to flee their homes since hostilities resumed in August, many of them for the second time. "There is no military solution, " the Secretary-General said, adding: "Civilians are paying a horrific price. "
The UN chief also reminded the warring parties in Ethiopia to their obligations under international humanitarian law. "Civilians must be protected – and, so, too, humanitarian workers who are being attacked – and even killed -- delivering lifesaving humanitarian aid, " Mr. Guterres said, referring to the death of a humanitarian worker in the Tigray region on Friday.
Even before the resumption of hostilities, 13 million people required food and other support across the regions of Tigray, Amhara and Afar. Deliveries of humanitarian aid into Tigray have been suspended for more than seven weeks, and assistance to Amhara and Afar has also been disrupted. Convoys along the main route into Tigray remain suspended since 24 August, hindering the transportation of humanitarian supplies. The United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights are also on hold, hampering the rotation of humanitarian workers.
"All parties must allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief for all civilians in need. The United Nations is ready to support the African Union in every possible way to end this nightmare for the Ethiopian people. We need the urgent resumption of talks towards an effective, lasting political settlement. The international community must rally together now for peace in Ethiopia, " the Secretary-General urged.
Further information
Full text: Secretary-General's remarks to the Press on Ethiopia [as delivered], released on October 17, 20222
https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/press-encounter/2022-10-17/secretary-generals-remarks-the-press-ethiopia-delivered