Ethiopian troops based in the Tigray region are being asked to withdraw from the region. This after mounting pressure on Ethiopian leaders concerning the recent inter-ethnic Tigray war in the region. The US Secretary-general of state Antony Blinken raises his concerns over the Ethiopian troops in the Tigray region. Apparently, they are stirring up war rather than putting it to an end. Blinken further discloses the humanitarian crisis in Tigray and how it has attracted the US attention. In his address to the US House of representatives’ foreign affairs committee, Blinken affirms that ethnic cleansing took place.
The humanitarian crisis in the Tigray war
Tigray conflict dates back to November 2020. This after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent Ethiopian troops to attack the Tigray region. Apparently, Tigray military forces initially made a move to attack federal military facilities. War broke in the region to date. Efforts from the government to try to cool down the situation have been futile.
Humanitarian crisis such as the need for food has been on the rise. Human rights violations, including massive massacres, have been on the rise. A recent report from Amnesty International reveals that the Eritrean forces in the Tigray region are responsible for thousands of deaths. Gender-based violence, especially sexual violence on women, has sparked the attention of humanitarian commissions in the country.
Tension on Ethiopia leaders
Siting a Twitter comment from one of Tigray’s fugitive leaders, Getachew Reda, there is a serious humanitarian crisis in the region. He further affirms that efforts to get humanitarian aid in the Tigray region have been met with resistance. Abiy`s promises to allow aid into the region have been broken. War in the region has, in fact, been on the rise.
Consequently, an Ethiopian diplomat has quit his post in Washington. Berhane Kidanemariam’s resignation comes with allegations of Abiy Ahmed being the key source in dividing his country. Antony, in his statement, urges immediate attention to the Tigray crisis. Therefore, access into the region should be quickly granted and help the people in the Tigray region. He further calls for an exit of the Amhara and Ethiopian troops and an immediate stop to the ethnic clashes.
More:
- Tigray Violence Continues; UN Fails to Help
- The U.N says the Conflict in Tigray could Spark Broader Destabilization.
