U.S. envoy travels to Ethiopia to urge an end to fighting and conflict

During Jeffrey Feltman’s visit, humanitarian organizations warned that as the war in Tigray continues, the crisis continues.

US President Joe Biden is sending his Horn of Africa envoy to Ethiopia to push for an end to the intensifying fighting, which has exacerbated concerns about the ongoing humanitarian disaster.

White House National Security Adviser Jack Sullivan announced the visit of Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman on Thursday, while urging the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to come to the negotiating table afterwards Nine months of conflict.

Sullivan said on Twitter: “A few months of war have brought great pain and division to a great country, and this country cannot be cured by more fighting.”

“We call on all parties to come to the negotiating table urgently,” he said.

The President has asked Special Envoy Feltman to return to Ethiopia at this critical moment. Months of war have brought great suffering and division to a great country, which cannot be cured by more fighting. We call on all parties to come to the negotiating table urgently.

— Jack Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) August 12, 2021

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s federal army and the TPLF forces that control Tigray have been fighting in this war since November, which has caused thousands of deaths and triggered a major refugee crisis . This conflict is characterized by genocide and rape as weapons of war.

In July, the United Nations warned that more than 100,000 children in Tigray may suffer life-threatening malnutrition in the next 12 months.According to the United Nations, a total of 400,000 people in the area are facing famine, and rescuers say they have Strive to gain access.

Alliance with OLA

Earlier this week, the TPLF troops stated that they are working with Form a military alliance Fighters from Oromia, Ethiopia’s most populous region, put pressure on the Addis Ababa government.

The leader of the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) told Reuters by phone on Thursday that the organization chose to join forces with TPLF and strongly opposed it during its three decades in Ethiopia because they now have a common cause.

“I hope we can squeeze this government, and if possible-I know it is possible-we will overthrow this regime and prevent this crisis,” said OLA leader Kumsadi Riba, whose name is Jaal Marroo.

The government has designated TPLF and OLA as “terrorist” organizations.

Also this week, the Abbey government Urge citizens Join the fight against the revival of TPLF. It said that all capable Ethiopians should join the army, special forces and militias to show their patriotism.

After regaining control of most of Tigray in late June and early July, the Tigray army has entered the adjacent Afar and Amhara areas and occupied the United Nations World Heritage Site Lalibela last week.

Feltman’s mission was carried out after Samantha Bauer, the head of U.S. aid, visited Addis Ababa earlier this month. He pushed the parties to end hostilities and warned that if they can’t get more With more aid, a “humanitarian disaster” is about to happen.