US government raises concerns over rising clashes in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Oromia regions
HAIK, ETHIOPIA - JANUARY 12: The wreckage of large artillery piece sits along the A2 road in the city of Haik on January 12, 2022 in the Wollo region, Ethiopia. Haik is one of several towns and cities along the A2 road through the Wollo region that was occupied by the TPLF during its invasion of the Amhara region that started in July of 2021. Some of these cities were occupied for almost five months before they were liberated by unified forces of the Ethiopian Government as they pushed the TPLF back towards the boundaries of Tigray. The A2 road runs north to south and stretches from Addis Ababa to Mekele. In July of 2021 the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) invaded the Amhara and Afar regions after the Ethiopian Government called for a unilateral cease-fire after 8 months of war. As the TPLF invaded the regions, they committed numerous atrocities along with large scale looting and destruction of resources in particular in the Amhara and Afar regions. During the course of the war to retake the Amhara and Afar regions, drones provided a significant strategic advantage against the TPLF. (Photo by J. Countess/Getty Images)
The United States government has expressed worries over the conflicts in Ethiopia’s Amhara and Oromia regions and has called for political intervention to end the bloodshed.
The US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in a telephone conversation with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, called for human rights to be protected.
US State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today discussed security challenges in the Horn of Africa and the shared goal of a unified, peaceful, and prosperous Ethiopia. Secretary Blinken expressed concern about the situations in the Amhara and Oromia Regions and underscored the need to promote peaceful resolution through political dialogue and protection of human rights.
“The Secretary and Prime Minister also discussed improved humanitarian oversight to allow for the resumption of food assistance. Secretary Blinken welcomed ongoing work to establish a genuine, credible, and inclusive transitional justice process.”
According to the Ethiopia Peace Observatory, there have been at least 26 different attacks in the Amhara area in the last two weeks between members of a paramilitary force and government troops.
An operation to abolish the regional force has been met with fierce opposition, resulting in widespread violence.
There have been further outbreaks of violence in Oromia between the military and the rebel Oromo Liberation Army.
Mr Blinken raised the potential of restarting food aid to Ethiopia during his discussion with Ethiopia’s prime minister. It was halted by the US and the UN five months ago after allegations of theft.
Hundreds of people have died of malnutrition in the northern Tigray province, according to sources.
