The United States (US) has called on Ethiopia to hold “urgent negotiations”, expressing “grave concern” over the country’s military escalation.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said Secretary Anthony Blinken expressed grave concern about the indications of a worrying military escalation in Ethiopia and stressed the need for urgent action for negotiations.
Washington warned the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, that there was “no military solution” to the conflict in Ethiopia and that diplomacy was the “only option” to stop the country’s civil war.
This comes at a time when the diplomatic efforts of the international community for a ceasefire between government forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Ethiopia has accused the United States of spreading “misinformation” about the country’s security situation, warning it could hurt bilateral relations.
On the other hand, a senior African Union official warned that Ethiopia faces the risk of disintegration and sliding into a cycle of fighting similar to what happened in Somalia, Syria, and Libya.
Meanwhile, the TPLF accused the Ethiopian army early Sunday of destroying large parts of the town of Kasagita in Afar province.
Battles are raging with Tigray forces and allied factions for control of strategic points on the vital long road linking Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, to the ports of neighbouring Djibouti.
On the other hand, clashes renewed between the Sudanese army and Ethiopian militias, on the border of eastern Sudan.
A Sudanese military source said that clashes broke out with heavy weapons between the army and Ethiopian militias in the border area of Birkat Nurin. The source added that the Birkat Nurin areas are controlled by the Sudanese army
