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A family affected by the conflict in Tigray region, Ethiopia,
UNICEF/Christine Nesbitt
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António
Guterres talked on the phone with former Nigerian president Olusegun Obasanjo,
according to a statement provided by his Spokesperson, to share perspectives on
the crisis that has impacted millions of people throughout the country and the
region since fighting erupted in Tigray in November 2020.
Mr.
Obasanjo informed the Secretary-General on his recent visit to Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia's capital, and Mekelle, the seat of the Tigray regional state.
The
High Representative informed Mr. Guterres on the efforts being taken by the
Ethiopian government and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) to bring
the violent conflict to a close.
Mr.
Obasanjo also "expressed hope that there is now a real chance for
political and diplomatic settlement of the issue" during the conversation.
Despite
this optimism, the UN chief feels that continued military operations
"remain a hindrance to the peace process" and "sour the
confidence-building measures that we hope all parties in the conflict are
doing."
He
also underlined his demand for all parties to halt hostilities as soon as
possible as a first step toward peace.
He
stated, "The UN is ready to help an all-inclusive and domestically owned
dialogue, peace, security, and reconciliation process in Ethiopia."
The
international community, according to the UN head, must continue to emphasize
the need of all parties demonstrating sincerity and commitment to the peace
process.
It
has been 14 months since confrontations between federal government soldiers and
TPLF forces initially erupted.
Thousands
are said to have been slain, and more than two million have been forced to
abandon their homes, amid claims of massive human rights violations.
Humanitarian
needs have risen dramatically in recent months as a result of deaths, looting,
and damage of health centers and farming equipment, including important
irrigation systems.
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