Igad has welcomed the humanitarian ceasefire in Ethiopia.
Intergovernmental Authority on Development Executive Secretary Dr Workneh Gebeyehu on Friday March 25 welcomed Ethiopia’s decision to declare an indefinite humanitarian ceasefire, which is intended to enhance humanitarian access to those in need in the Tigray region.
“Dr Workneh also welcomes the reciprocal announcement by the Regional Government of Tigray to commit themselves to respect the truce and cessation of hostilities. The Executive Secretary appeals to international partners to do all it takes to ensure that humanitarian assistance is scaled up and provided in a timely and predictable manner to the Tigray region and other regions affected by the prevailing situation of drought and food insecurity,” igad said in a statement.
Gebeyehu also called on all the parties to actively pursue durable peace through all available mechanisms including the national dialogue and the good offices of the chairperson of the African Union and the leadership of IGAD.
Rebel forces fighting in Tigray agreed to a government offer of a truce to allow aid deliveries to reach millions of people in urgent need of assistance.
According to the BBC, no aid has been delivered to the Tigray region since mid-December, with the government accused of imposing a blockade. But the government blames rebel forces.
The TPLF rebels said they would respect the ceasefire as long as aid deliveries resume “within reasonable time”.
The 16-month war has killed thousands, and than two million people, according to WHO, have been forced to flee their homes.
WHO Director General Tedros Ghebreyesus, an Ethiopian from Tigray, has described the situation as “catastrophic”.
