Huge sacrifices made towards ending Tigray conflict - Blinken

NAIROBI, Kenya - Both parties involved in the Tigray conflict have made huge strides to end hostilities, the US has noted, even as stakeholders look for tangible solutions to unite authorities in Addis Ababa and those in Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray.

For over 15 months, the Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] has been at loggerheads with Tigray Defense Forces [TDF], leading to the death of thousands of people and displacement of millions of others from their ancestral homes.

But in a statement, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for ensuring the restoration of services in Tigray, including freeing political prisoners who have been in detention for a couple of months due to differences in ideologies.

"In recent months, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has taken a series of encouraging actions that have laid the groundwork for an end to the conflict, including lifting the state of emergency, releasing some political prisoners and detainees, and, in parallel with Tigrayan authorities, declaring an effective cessation of hostilities," he said.

Also, the US minister thanked the Tigray militia for withdrawing from most parts of Amhara and Afar, adding that the move paves way for proper negotiations which can pave way for peaceful resolution of conflicts within and outside Tigray.

Further, the US noted that both parties should seize the opportunity and negotiate for the restoration of most essential services in Tigray. The region has been experiencing blackouts both in terms of connectivity of power and telecommunication.

"We are similarly encouraged that Tigrayan forces have withdrawn most of their forces from Afar and have reiterated their commitment to a peaceful resolution of the conflict," he said.

"We now urge the parties, as my team and I have in recent days, to seize the opportunity to advance a negotiated ceasefire, including the necessary security arrangements, and call for the restoration of essential services in Tigray on an urgent basis," Blinken added.

GAROWE ONLINE