Tigray conflict: Ethiopia dismisses EU allegation as misleading

By Agence de Presse Africaine Last updated Sep 20, 2022

APA-Addis Ababa Ethiopia has rejected the European Union allegation of refusing hold peace talks with the rebel forces of the Tigray People’ s Liberation front in the north of the country as misleading. The Ethiopian Embassy in Belgium on Monday said it was dismayed by the statement issued on the 14th of September 2022, by the spokesperson of the European Union…

APA-Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) Ethiopia has rejected the European Union (EU) allegation of refusing hold peace talks with the rebel forces of the Tigray People’s Liberation front (TPLF) in the north of the country as misleading.

The Ethiopian Embassy in Belgium on Monday said it was dismayed by the statement issued on the 14th of September 2022, by the spokesperson of the European Union External Action Services (EEAS).

“The Spokesperson continuously chooses to ignore the blatant violations committed by the TPLF on various occasions, including that of opening the third round of conflict and abusing humanitarian aid and fuel to advance military escalations,” the embassy said in a statement.

The EU also accused Eritrea when it said “the role of Eritrea continues to impede ongoing efforts towards peace in Ethiopia.”

According to the embassy, the spokesperson’s statement is also ‘misleading’ by pronouncing that TPLF took an initiative for peace.

The official said it’s well-known that the Ethiopian government has been making peace overtures including a unilateral humanitarian truce since March 2022, and named a negotiation team under the auspices of the Africa Union, with deep convictions that it would create trust and ultimately paving the way for the commencement of negotiation.

”While rejecting the selective vilification by the spokesperson of the EEAS, we would like to reiterate the unwavering commitment of the Government of Ethiopia to peacefully resolve the conflict in Northern Ethiopia” the statement concluded.

MG/as/APA