The US has shown significant support for former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s efforts to negotiate between the government and rebel groups in Ethiopia in order to end the continuing civil war.
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken talked with the former president on the urgent need to cease all military operations, unrestricted humanitarian access, and a discussion without preconditions between the warring factions in Ethiopia.
With almost two million people displaced and sections of Ethiopia near starvation, the Ethiopian civil war has moved significantly in favour of the rebel troops as Tigray fighters and its allies are moving south into Addis Ababa.
According to a statement by the spokesperson for the US Secretary of State Ned Price, Blinken is concerned that the hostile rhetoric on both sides of the crisis may encourage intercommunal violence.
The statement read: “Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke with AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo today (Wednesday). Secretary Blinken expressed the strong support of the United States for President Obasanjo’s efforts to mediate among the parties to the ongoing conflict in Ethiopia.”
“The Secretary and President Obasanjo discussed the urgent need for a halt to all military operations, negotiations on a cessation of hostilities without preconditions, and unhindered humanitarian access. The Secretary expressed his concern that the bellicose rhetoric on all sides of the conflict risks fueling intercommunal violence.”
Blinken also praised former president Obasanjo’s persistent efforts to bring lasting peace to Ethiopia.
