Background: Tigray conflict in Ethiopia
The Tigray conflict in Ethiopia is rooted in longstanding tension between Ethiopia’s central government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the party that dominated Ethiopian politics for more than two decades but has been sidelined (and ultimately displaced) by the 2018-sworen-in government lead by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
When the National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) postponed a national election (which was supposed to be held in May/June 2020) because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, tensions between the Federal government and the disgruntled TPLF – mainly because the TPLF sees the central government, which is mainly headed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, as illegitimate, arguing that Abiy Ahmed has no longer the mandate as a prime minister quoting the constitution. The TPLF, led by Debretsion Gebremichael, went ahead with regional elections in Tigray in September 2020 – in defiance of the federal government,
On 4 November 2020, Prime Minister Abiy announced a military operation against the TPLF, accusing the TPLF’s organized forces of attacking the Ethiopian National Defense Force’s (ENDF) northern command, headquartered in Mekelle, the Capital of Tigray Region. The TPLF has firmly rejected the claims.
The Tigray conflict has been one of the main topics, probably next to the U.S., election for the major news media. Here, the press statements and messages from other countries are presented, with timely updates.
On 28 November 2020, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said that ENDF took full control of Mekelle. He said the army had entered the city in the “last phase” of the conflict with the TPLF.
On the next day, TPLF’s leader Debretsion Gebremichael said they had shot down a military plane and retaken a town from federal forces as war dragged on a day after the government announced its military offensive was over.
There was no immediate comment from the government or the military on the claims made by Debretsion. Claims from all sides are difficult to verify since phone and internet links to Tigray have been down and access tightly controlled since the conflict began.
Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi’s Statement on Current Situation in Ethiopia
On 4 December 2020, Toshimitsu Motegi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan issued his statement on Current Situation in Ethiopia, which reads as follows:
Toshimitsu Motegi
U.S. Secretary Michael Pompeo’s call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
The following is attributable to Principal Deputy Spokesperson Cale Brown:
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today regarding the conflict in Tigray. Secretary Pompeo took note of the Government of Ethiopia’s November 28 announcement of the end of major military operations, but reiterated the United States’ grave concern regarding ongoing hostilities and the risks the conflict poses. The Secretary called for a complete end to the fighting and constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis. He stressed the willingness of the United States, the African Union envoys and other international partners to assist in dialogue and reconciliation. The Secretary underscored the importance of protecting civilians from further harm, including refugees and civilians fleeing the conflict into Sudan, and allowing international humanitarian organizations access to the Tigray region to ensure the unhindered flow of humanitarian assistance to those in need. He urged the Government of Ethiopia to ensure respect for human rights of Tigrayans and all ethnic groups. Secretary Pompeo highlighted the United States’ strong partnership with Ethiopia, our continued support for Ethiopia’s historic reform agenda, and the importance of Ethiopia’s role in promoting prosperity and stability on the Horn of Africa.
UK “very concerned” at recent conflict in Ethiopia, says foreign minister Dominic Raab
Britain is very concerned at the escalating conflict in Ethiopia, UK’s Foreign Secretary and First Secretary of State Dominic Raab said on Tuesday (24 November), highlighting the humanitarian and regional impact.
“We’re very concerned about the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia, both in terms of the humanitarian impact but also the risk of spillover and spread to the region. I spoke to Prime Minister Abiy on the 10th of November. We’ve made clear that there needs to be a de-escalation of violence; humanitarian access and protection of civilians. UK funding is already helping those in urgent need of assistance in Ethiopia, specifically, the UK fund, the World Food Program, the UNHCR, UNICEF, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. I was in Berlin talking with the E3 and our European colleagues and we’ve expressed our concern. We’re doing everything we can to bring peace and a de-escalation of the conflict.” Raab told parliament.
[Update] Dominic Raab tweeted on Saturday (28 November) about his and his government’s concern, saying “Very concerned by reports of fighting in Mekelle and further rocket attacks on Eritrea. As I discussed with the Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister this week, we need an end to the fighting. All parties to the conflict must protect civilians and immediately allow humanitarian access.”Germany’s Foreign Minister Heiko Maas
Foreign Minister Heiko Maas today issued the following statement on the armed conflict and humanitarian situation in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia:
Ethiopia and its neighboring countries have already had to face huge challenges this year in the form of floods, the locust invasion and COVID‑19. And now there is the armed conflict in the Tigray region, which is dividing the country, harming the people and having an impact on neighboring states. This is extremely dangerous.
In order to respond directly to the emergency and to provide life-saving assistance, we have now decided to top up our humanitarian assistance for Ethiopia by a further five million euro. We will make this funding available to the Country-Based Pooled Fund and thus to aid workers on the ground so that they can help people who have lost their homes or are fleeing from the fighting.
What is needed to resolve the conflict is a political process that starts with de-escalation and dialogue and continues the course of reform launched by Prime Minister Abiy. The parties to the conflict have been offered mediation; this must be taken up now. (Source: Embassy of the Netherlands in Ethiopia)
UAE’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), expressed his concern over recent developments in Ethiopia, stressing the need to return to dialogue and implement the rule of law while expressing the UAE’s solidarity with the brotherly Ethiopian people and highlighting the link between security and stability in the Middle East region and the Horn of Africa.
Sheikh Abdullah indicated that the region is witnessing new opportunities that must be seized and built upon, including the peace process in Sudan and South Sudan.
Moreover, he stressed the need to mobilize all international and regional efforts and ensure the stability of the region and the central role of Ethiopia in this vision, as well as work with the African Union and other relevant institutions, indicating that the UAE has made many contacts with partners in Africa, the region, and the international community to put an end to the conflict by peaceful means and avoid escalation in light of the sensitive situation that the region is witnessing.
Sheikh Abdullah also indicated that Ethiopia is the key to security and stability in the Horn of Africa and the region, underscoring the importance of preserving the institutions of the Ethiopian state and the unity of the federal system.
He expressed his concern over continued human suffering in the region and the displacement of thousands of innocent people, especially children, women, and the elderly due to recent military clashes, which could lead to a rapid deterioration of the humanitarian situation.
Sheikh Abdullah affirmed the UAE’s support for a political solution and constructive dialogue in order to bring peace to Ethiopia, noting that the UAE would provide US$5 million through the World Food Programme (WFP) and international organizations to help refugees affected by the humanitarian crisis. His Highness also noted the importance of adhering to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs. (Source: Emirates News Agency)
Russia’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov
“We call on all sides to restraint. Of course, we have always advocated stability and security in this country, with which we have long-standing friendly relations,” Mikhail Bogdanov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, said in an interview to RIA Novosti.
He noted that Moscow is in contact with the Ethiopian authorities: “both with the ambassador here and our embassy in Addis Ababa is working vigorously. We hope that all these problems will be resolved taking into account the need to preserve stability, territorial integrity, unity of Ethiopia – multinational and multi-confessional country. We believe that the central authorities, the government in Addis Ababa, will find adequate ways or methods to work with different regions, including the Tigray regional state, in order to secure civil peace in the country,” summed up a senior Russian diplomat. (Source: Russian Embassy in Ethiopia)