MFA State Minister Redwan Hussien exchanges a phone call with UK Minister for Africa, Vicky Ford

Addis Ababa, November 18, 2021 ( FBC) – State Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia, H.E. Ambassador Redwan Hussien, spoke over the phone with Vicky Ford (MP), Minister for Africa, Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Affairs of the UK, about the current situation in northern Ethiopia. 

The Minister for Africa urged for a political solution to the conflict with the TPLF forces, both sides to take confidence-building measures and stop inflammatory social media comments. 

The Minister said the TPLF had to stop advancing the conflict and the Government should create an enabling environment for humanitarian assistance to reach the people of Tigray, Amhara, and Afar.

The Minister also welcomed the efforts of the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, and reiterated the support of the UK to this peace effort. 

Ambassador Redwan, on his part, explained that several peace efforts made by the Government did not get through due to the belligerent attitude of TPLF. 

He also explained that due to the TPLF’s expansion of the conflict into the Amhara and Afar regions, the internally displaced people have dramatically increased. 

Regarding humanitarian access, he reiterated the Government’s continued commitment citing the engagements with Humanitarian Organizations to resume humanitarian flights to Mekelle, Kombolcha, and Semera.

Appropriate institutions are also facilitating road transportation through Abala, he added. The state minister stressed that the TPLF should return the more than 860 Aid trucks it has repurposed to military use.