Ethiopia’s new Foreign Minister, Demeke Mekonnen, stated that his government would settle the fighting in Tigray region as soon as possible.
In a diplomatic briefing at the Sheraton Addis on November 13, 2020, the new Foreign Minister assured diplomats that the government would achieve its goals of restoring rule of law, apprehending the criminal clique and making sure that they face justice within a very short period of time.
Responding to diplomats’ queries about the possibility of dialogue between the parties to the conflict, Demeke said “the operation is progressing as planned; there will be a series of discussions once we achieve our targets and objectives.”
The United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Ethiopia, Catherine Sozi, asked the Ethiopian government to open a humanitarian corridor through which humanitarian support can be delivered to people in need of assistance. She asked for the opening up of infrastructural facilities such as roads, water access, telecommunication and banks.
“Although there are over 800 humanitarian workers residing in the Tigray region, it has become impossible to communicate and deliver the necessary humanitarian assistance in conflicting areas,” said Catherine Sozi.
Noting that the government is on the right track to victory, Demeke expressed the governmental stance to pay due attention to humanitarian assistance and discharge its responsibilities. He stated that the federal government has no intention of targeting the peace-loving people of Tigray.
In line with governmental expectations to end the war soon, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD) released a five minute video in Tigrigna language to give members of the Tigray Special Forces an ultimatum to surrender in two to three days to save themselves from the ongoing war.
It has only been a week since Demeke Mekonnen, who also serves as Deputy Prime Minister, has become Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister in a sizeable reshuffle of governmental officials made at the end of last week.
The briefing Demeke chaired along with Redwan Hussein, spokesperson of the State of Emergency Command Post, featured diplomats of different nations, representatives of international organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations.
