Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has urged the conflicting parties in Ethiopia to initiate dialogues aimed at achieving a peaceful resolution.
"The chairperson calls on the parties to immediately cease hostilities and prioritize the protection of civilians. He emphasizes the importance of engaging in dialogue to achieve a peaceful solution," states a message published on the AU website. The statement also underscores the African Union's endorsement of the inter-Ethiopian initiative aimed at fostering peace and stability.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission expressed concern on August 14 regarding the ongoing conflict between federal forces and local militias in the Amhara region. According to the Commission, the use of heavy artillery shelling in towns such as Bahir Dar and Gondar has resulted in a significant number of civilian casualties and damage to residential areas. The unrest has also witnessed attacks on police stations and prisons, disruption of the regional administration, and the loss of some officials' lives.
On August 4, the Ethiopian federal government declared a state of emergency in the Amhara region in response to clashes between regular troops and local militias. This decision was made at the request of the state authorities. As of August 9, the Russian embassy in Ethiopia advised Russian citizens to avoid traveling to Amhara due to the unsafe situation.
The armed clashes in Amhara ensued after federal authorities called for the disarmament of local militias. These militias had previously allied with government forces against the Tigray rebels, who rebelled against the federal government in November 2020. The Tigray rebels later signed a peace agreement and laid down their arms two years later.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: Public Domain
Based on materials from TASS