The UN Security Council today expressed “deep concern” over the escalation of the conflict in Ethiopia and called for a ceasefire.
The members of this body “call for an end to hostilities and a permanent ceasefire to be negotiated,” Mexican Ambassador to the United Nations Juan Ramon said in a joint statement to reporters. They also called for “the creation of conditions for the start of a national dialogue in Ethiopia in which all parties will participate in order to resolve the crisis.”
The Council also called on the parties concerned to “refrain from inciting hate speech and inciting violence and division”.
A public meeting of the council, scheduled for today, was postponed to Monday.
However, the 15 member states, which have so far struggled to agree on a common position, issued the statement at a time when, after a year of war, Tigris insurgents are now threatening to march on the capital, Addis Ababa.
The 15 countries mainly “expressed their deep concern about the spread and escalation of military conflict in northern Ethiopia”, as well as the “impact of the conflict on the humanitarian situation” and “the stability of the country and the whole region”.
The Security Council also reiterated its support for “Ethiopia ‘s territorial integrity and unity”.
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