© Michele Spatari The Tigray region has long been under what the UN has described as a de facto blockadeEthiopia called for tighter controls on aid shipments to the country's war-stricken Tigray region as it accused aid agencies of delivering banned equipment that could be used by rebels and more fuel than is currently allowed. "I have noticed there are efforts to transport more fuel than allowed and some banned equipment that can be used to carry out the terror group's aims," he said. Demeke, who was speaking during a visit to the northwestern Afar region where the aid convoys depart to neighbouring Tigray, did not specify what kind of equipment was involved. "Efforts by the customs commission and other entities to ensure control and surveillance of banned equipment should be boosted," he added. In March, the government declared "an indefinite humanitarian truce effective immediately", which allowed several convoys of humanitarian aid to reach the region for the first time since mid-December.

Source: Ethiopian News June 05, 2022 19:00 UTC