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Federal Foreign Office on the situation in Ethiopia
A Federal Foreign Office Spokesperson issued the following statement today (16 July) on the situation in Ethiopia:
The latest reports out of Ethiopia are worrying: in Tigray, we are witnessing a further deterioration of the humanitarian situation; there have been clashes again, and there is the danger of a renewed increase in severe violence between different population groups. These developments must be stopped while that is still possible.
We call on everyone involved to agree and adhere to an immediate ceasefire. It is completely clear that all foreign troops must immediately and fully withdraw from the region, and that we need a transparent investigation into the human rights violations. Any redrawing of borders through armed force or by other unconstitutional means is unacceptable.
Safe, unhindered and permanent humanitarian access to Tigray must now be the top priority. Those who have fled because of the conflict must be able to return safely to their homes.
Background information
There has been an armed conflict in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia since November 2020. It poses a major threat to the civilian population and has resulted in substantial flows of migrants towards the Sudan. A large number of eyewitnesses and international organisations have reported severe human rights abuses. According to the United Nations (OCHA), the situation in Tigray has deteriorated dramatically in recent weeks. Specifically, some 400,000 people have crossed the threshold into famine.
Germany recently made available an additional 15 million euro for humanitarian assistance in Ethiopia. The funds are being disbursed to, among others, the World Food Programme.