DPM Demeke, U.S. Representative Trent Kelly discuss latest developments in Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, June 2, 2022 (FBC) – Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, had a meeting yesterday with Trent Kelly, member of the House of Representative of the United States of America.

The discussion between the two sides covered measures taken to ensure accountability over human rights abuses in the conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia, supply of humanitarian aid to conflict-affected people, and undergoing efforts to ensure durable peace in the country.

Trent Kelly said the United States values transparency and openness to strengthen its relations with Ethiopia, reiterating his preference not to support HR6600 and S3199.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister appreciated Trent Kelly for showing interest in Ethiopian affairs and visiting Ethiopia to understand situations on the ground.

He expressed hope that the United States would note the peacebuilding efforts of the government of Ethiopia and discard the proposed bills that would eventually affect ordinary Ethiopians.

In their discussion on the measures taken to ensure independent investigation and accountability for alleged human rights violations in Tigray, Demeke mentioned concrete steps taken by the government.

He said in order to implement the recommendations of the joint OHCHR-EHRC investigation report, the government of Ethiopia established an inter-Ministerial committee comprising high-profile and skilled law enforcement personnel.

As a result, some individuals, including members of the ENDF, were prosecuted and brought before justice, he said.

Regrettably, he said the UN Human Rights body decided to rerun the UN-EHRC joint investigation incurring an unnecessary duplication of efforts and undermining the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

The proposed investigative works of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts should have also taken the demands of Ethiopians to investigate the human rights abuses committed by the TPLF in the Afar and Amhara regions into account too, he stressed.

The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister mentioned the confidence building measures taken by the government to pave the way for dialogue and lasting peace in the country, citing the lifting of the state of emergency before its due date, the release of high-profile prisoners, and the declaration of humanitarian truce.

Demonstrating its commitment to peace, the government of Ethiopia also decided not to enter the Tigray region after the TPLF forces were pushed back from the areas they had invaded in the Amhara and Afar regions and declared an indefinite humanitarian truce, he said.

Despite all these verifiable measures for peace by the Ethiopian government, the TPLF is preparing for another round of conflict, he said, calling on the United States of America and the international community to put pressure on the TPLF to renounce its anti-peace activities.

Present at the meeting, Ambassador Tracey Ann Jacobson, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Ethiopia, appreciated the proper response of the Ethiopian government to cooperating with humanitarian partners in facilitating access to humanitarian supply to affected people in Tigray, including fuel supply.

She also spoke about the encouraging works of the National Dialogue Commission and the peace initiatives of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, further offering her country’s support whenever necessary.