THE AFRICA BAZAAR STAFF

March 2, 2021

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken called Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday and urged him and the Ethiopian government to “take immediate, concrete steps” to end the worsening civil tension and the humanitarian crisis in the Tigray region of the country.


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During the call, Secretary Blinken—noting credible reports of atrocities and human rights violations and abuses,—pressed for “the immediate end to hostilities and the withdrawal of outside forces from Tigray, including Amhara regional security forces and Eritrean troops,” and proposed that the Ethiopian government work with the international community to provide independent, international, and credible investigations into reported human rights abuses and violations and to hold those responsible accountable, the State department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement.

The Secretary also expressed his approval for the recent announcement that Ethiopian government has granted full and unhindered humanitarian access to Tigray, however, stressed the need for the government to protect civilians, including refugees, and to prevent further violence as well as continue to keep its promise of providing access for life-saving humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations in the region.

Blinken reaffirmed that the U.S. remains ready to assist in resolving the conflict.