Biden's Team Calls for End of War in Ethiopia

U.S. President-elect Joe Biden’s foreign policy advisor urged on Thursday to end war in north Ethiopia, where federal troops and rebels rage war in the Horn of Africa, pushing towards the regional capital.

“Deeply concerned about the humanitarian crisis in Ethiopia, reports of targeted ethnic violence, and the risk to regional peace and security,” Antony Blinken, a veteran diplomat and longtime Biden confidant who is expected to play a senior role in the incoming U.S. administration, wrote on Twitter.

Blinken stressed the necessity to call off this war between the two parties.

“The TPLF and Ethiopian authorities should take urgent steps to end the conflict, enable humanitarian access, and protect civilians,” Biden’s foreign policy advisor added.

[embed]https://twitter.com/ABlinken/status/1329276968018317313?s=09[/embed]

A government statement cited reports of ethnic killings in the town of Maykadra, documented that Amnesty International  this week, as survivors of the attack mentioned that militias of the Tigray government have killed scores, possibly hundreds of civilians. Nonetheless, the TPLF has denied any close involvement.

“We would like to remind the leaders of this group that the atrocities that have been committed by their forces and loyalists in places like Maykadra constitute serious crimes,” the government stated.

The two-week conflict in the Ethiopian province of Tigray has claimed hundreds and possibly thousands of lives, in addition to pushing 30,000 refugees into Sudan, which make people question the Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s ability to unify the country ahead of national elections scheduled for next year.