Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed support for the peace efforts being made by the African Union and Tigrayan government regarding the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.
Tigrayan forces have been engaged in a civil war with the Ethiopian federal government since November 2020, Reuters reported. Fighting resumed in the region Sept. 2 after a tentative ceasefire had been called in March of this year. Both sides blamed the other for reigniting conflict.
“The United States stands with the people of Ethiopia and supports ongoing diplomatic efforts led by @AfricanUnion. In the spirit of the Ethiopian New Year, we call on the country’s leaders to put Ethiopia on a path that achieves a lasting peace,” Blinken said in a Sept. 11 Twitter post.
The Government of Tigray's External Affairs Office released a statement Sept. 11 announcing they are "ready to abide by an immediate and mutually agreed cessation of hostilities" with the Federal Government of Ethiopia, under facilitation by the African Union, according to a post on Twitter.
“It is the Government of Tigray's solemn desire to see Ethiopians in general and the people of Tigray in particular to no longer hear the sound of gunfire, the blockade of essential services and humanitarian aid and associated pain and suffering,” the government’s statement said.
A negotiation team has been set up and is ready to begin peace talks “without delay,” according to the statement. The team includes Getachew Reda and Gen. Tsadkan Grebtinsae, among others, who will represent the Government of Tigra.
The African Union welcomed the call for peace by the Government of Tigray, according to a statement released Sept. 11 on Twitter. Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat called on the international community to “strengthen support on the ongoing AU-led peace process.” The AU commended Tigray for a readiness to engage in negotiations, which they say is in line with a similar call by the Federal Government of Ethiopia.
Reuters reported that, during the most recent ceasefire, it appeared both sides used the momentary peace to reorganize. Reports from the Tigray region during the ceasefire exposed forced recruitment, with parents and spouses imprisoned if a person refused to join.
The conflict began in November 2020 when Tigrayan forces seized control of military bases across the region, Reuters reported. The party that controls Tigray, The Tigray People's Liberation Front, previously dominated the Ethiopian government for nearly 30 years until Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was appointed in 2018. The party accused Abiy of centralizing power at the expense of other regions in the country, Reuters reported. Abiy reportedly denied these accusations.
