A press release from the US Department of State says “the urgency of resolving outstanding issues through political dialogue and avoiding a return to conflict” has prompted the visit from Hammer. Territorial disputes in northern Ethiopia have given rise to a fresh round of fighting in recent weeks, raising concerns that the region could find itself back in a state of war. The outstanding tasks include the full disarmament of ex-combatants, the return of nearly one million IDPs to their homes, and the reinstitution of Tigray’s pre-war borders. Hammer is also set to discuss options for dialogue to end armed conflict in the Amhara and Oromia regions, as well as the need to investigate human rights violations in the country, according to the press release. Visits to Kenya and Djibouti are also on the special envoy’s itinerary.

Source: Ethiopian News May 09, 2024 14:23 UTC