UN Security Council Ambassadors, Representatives in Addis Briefed by DPM & FM

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Addis Ababa March 5/2021(ENA)Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Demeke Mekonnen briefed ambassadors and representatives of members of the United Nations Security Council in Addis Ababa on the current situation in Tigray.

In his briefing, Demeke said the government has intensified its efforts to fully and effectively address the humanitarian needs in Tigray region and enormous progress has been achieved since the law enforcement measure came to a successful conclusion.

Unfettered humanitarian access, including access to international media, has been granted and  issuance of clearance to the region for humanitarian actors expedited by addressing bureaucratic hurdles.  The process of carrying out joint investigation on human rights violations is underway, he added.

According to a press release of the ministry, participants welcomed the measures that the government has taken to address the humanitarian situation and human rights issues, and raised some concerns with regard to the challenges that some journalists and translators faced and coordination in terms of delivering humanitarian aid to some places as well as the presence of foreign troops in the region.

Responding to the questions and concerns expressed by some of members, Demeke pointed out that more than 3.5 million beneficiaries of the humanitarian assistance have now been reached through a cluster-based approach and infrastructures that were destroyed by TPLF forces are now being rebuilt and have resumed services.

The government has so far disbursed over 40 billion Birr, which amounts to 70 percent of resources from its coffer, to address the humanitarian needs in the region while only 30 percent came from the international community, the deputy premier revealed.

The international community should scale up its efforts of garnering adequate resources for the task at hand for the government and international humanitarian organizations to respond in a swifter and sustained manner.

Journalists are now granted access to report developments in the region and those who were detained in the past few days are released, he pointed out.

Clarifying about the brief detention of some journalists, Demeke said journalists and humanitarian workers need to respect their professional code of conduct as the government is tirelessly working to address coordination problems and other few impediments.

Forging peace and partnership will always remain the emblem of Ethiopia’s foreign policy, governed by principles of international law,  he noted, adding  that Ethiopia has never allowed any foreign country or troops to stay in its land and is determined to keep it that way.

The deputy premier and minister also expressed the appreciation of the Ethiopian Government to all partners for their support and reassured them of Ethiopia’s commitment that the existing longstanding partnership that the country has always enjoyed with them will further be enhanced and strengthened.

Ethiopian News Agency
2023