Demeke, EU Envoy Discuss Humanitarian Response in N Ethiopia

ADDIS ABABA – European Union Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Dr. Annette Weber, appreciated the ongoing efforts to ensure unfettered access to humanitarians and peace in Ethiopia, according to Foreign ministry.

She said this during her meeting with Demeke Mekonnen, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Ethiopia, in Addis Ababa today.

The two sides discussed current situations in Ethiopia, particularly the humanitarian issue in the Tigray region and geopolitical matters of common concern, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) in a statement.

The meeting took place a week after the federal government declared a truce in the North Ethiopian conflict.

Deputy Prime Minister Demke said the recently declared Humanitarian truce would address the humanitarian aid needs of the people in Tigray.

He said, in line with the pledges made by the government declaring the humanitarian truce, more than 22 WFP trucks loaded with humanitarian aid are about to enter the Tigray region.

According to MoFA, Demeke also expressed his concerns over the actions of the TPLF that continued to provide excuses not to reciprocate.

The international community has to influence the militants to commit to the terms of the truce, he told the EU envoy.

During the meeting, the Deputy PM also spoke about “encouraging steps” taken by the government to maintain peace and stability in Ethiopia including the release of high-profile political figures from prison, lifting of the State of Emergency before its due time, and the proposed national dialogue.

The EU Special Envoy, on her part, “lauded the efforts of the government to ensure peace in the country and the encouraging situation created for humanitarian operations in the Tigray region following the humanitarian truce”, said the statement.