African Union (AU) High-Representative for the Horn of Africa and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo said leaders of Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF discretely agree on the differences opposing them are political and require political solution through dialogue.
He said this to the Union's Peace and Security Council (PSC) as it was held emergency session on Monday in Ethiopia's capital.
“This constitutes a window of opportunity that we can collectively tap into to assist the people of Ethiopia find lasting solution to the ongoing crisis,” he said. However, Obasanjo cautioned that “the window of opportunity we have is very little and that time is paramount for any intervention in this regard.”
AU’s HoA envoy also said he had meaningful discussions with the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, the President of Ethiopia and the President of Oromia regional state on how to de-escalate tension to pave the way for dialogue.
Actually, it is Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who show the green light to Mr. Obasanjo head to Mekelle and talk with the TPLF to find political solution to the ongoing escalation of war, the special envoy told the PSC.
On Monday, Ethiopia's State Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed the government's willingness to encourage those who are keen to solve the problem within “African framework”.
“The conflict situation continues to have severe humanitarian consequences on the population, with huge impact on socio-economic development and stability. The time is now for collective actions in finding lasting solution to avoid further escalation of the conflict which may have direct effect on the strategic Horn of Africa region as a whole” Mr. Obasanjo forewarned.
He also suggested the PSC to urge the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF for immediate and unconditional political dialogue, ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access and all-inclusive national dialogue.
0 Comments