The TPLF wanted basic civilian services restored to Tigray before serious peace talks began - a request supported by U.S. and European envoys. Tigray has been without banking and telephone links since Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers pulled out of most of Tigray more than a year ago. Only a tiny trickle of aid had been allowed in since mid-2021, creating what the United Nations called a de facto blockade. But even after April, aid workers struggled to distribute the food because they were only able to bring in less than a fifth of the fuel they needed. Malnutrition is rising, with those in "severe" need up from 37% of the population in January to 47% in August.

Source: Ethiopian News September 02, 2022 22:39 UTC