ADDIS ABABA – Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia (MoFA) asked terrorist TPLF to fully observe humanitarian truce in a bid to deliver the needed aid to Tigray.
Addressing media yesterday, MoFA Spokesperson Dina Mufti said that there are limitations by the side of TPLF in implementing the enacted humanitarian truce and the government will continue to support the needy people.
“International community needs to pressure TPLF to obey by the truce,” he said.
Humanitarian flights are being made to Mekelle, the delivery of aid to Tigray has been facilitated via road transport, and over the past week about 50 trucks of the WFP and the UN reached Tigray, it was learnt.
Refusing Ethiopian government’s declaration of a unilateral humanitarian ceasefire on June 28, 2020, TPLF invaded Amhara and Afar states and committed severe atrocities on civilians and vandalized public services, including schools and health facilities. TPLF destroyed 82 government health offices, 40 hospitals, 453 health stations, 1,850 health posts, four blood banks, and an oxygen plant in Amhara state alone, and 17 hospitals, health centers, and 42 health posts during its invasion of the Afar State.
Meanwhile, he said that Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen discussed with Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, African Union Commissioner for Political Affairs Peace and Security and briefed peace-building initiatives the government of Ethiopia has been undertaking so far.
He mentioned release of some prisoners, lifting of the state of emergency, and the establishment of the national dialogue commission which is a showcase of government’s commitment towards ensuring lasting peace in the country.
The government of Ethiopia encourages and supports the peace initiatives of the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa (HoA) region, Olusegun Obasanjo. Besides, Ethiopia would remain committed to the peace initiative of the former Nigerian President under the auspices of the AUC, he indicated.
In another story, the second round of tree planting was held in Djibouti as part of expanding Ethiopia’s Green Legacy initiative to neighboring countries. Ethiopia has delivered 200,000 seedlings so far and upon the request of the government of Djibouti 40,000 more seedlings will be provided, Dina noted.
BY HAILE DEMEKE
The Ethiopian Herald 22 April 2022
