DPM and FM Demeke Mekonnen confers with EU Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa

Addis Ababa, May 14, 2022 (FBC) – Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen met and discussed on Friday with Dr. Annette Weber, EU Special Representative for the Horn of Africa.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke about the humanitarian supply to conflict-affected people in the northern part of the country and other regional matters.

He briefed the EU special representative about the accelerated unfettered humanitarian access created for partners, including the WFP following the declaration of the humanitarian truce. 

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister spoke about the peacebuilding steps taken by the government, including the formation of the national dialogue commission that aimed to address critical issues in the country.

The Government of Ethiopia has also established a ministerial committee comprising about 100 people from various law enforcement bodies to bring perpetrators of human rights abuses before justice.

Despite all the measures taken to ensure lasting peace, unfettered access to humanitarians, and accountability over human rights abuses, the TPLF has continued beating war drums for another round of conflict, he said.

The European Union should compel the TPLF to take accountability for its actions and put restraints on its unhelpful and destructive urge to spark another round of conflict, he added.

The EU Special Representative, on her part, appreciated and reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to support the confidence-building measures of the government of Ethiopia and the humanitarian truce declared to facilitate unfettered access to partners and aid agencies. 

The two sides also discussed critical matters in the Horn of Africa region, including the state of the AU-led trilateral negotiations over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

In this regard, the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister expressed the commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to find an amicable solution for outstanding issues over the GERD.