76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly
UN Security Council meeting on Ethiopia
Delivered by Ambassador Sven Jürgenson
November 10, New York
I welcome Under-Secretary-General DiCarlo and High Representative Obasanjo for their briefings.
Estonia is deeply concerned about the recent escalation in northern Ethiopia. These developments continue to cause civilian casualties and prolong human suffering and risk the stability of the country and the whole region. We call upon the TPLF to withdraw its troops from Amhara and Afar and the Government of Ethiopia to refrain from airstrikes on civilian targets.
All parties must do their utmost to protect civilians, including humanitarian and medical workers, in line with their obligations under International Humanitarian Law.
There is no military solution to this conflict. We call upon all parties to immediately end hostilities without preconditions, engage in negotiations for a lasting ceasefire and to create conditions for the start of a political dialogue.
In this context, we would also like to express our full support to the international and regional efforts in achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict. We encourage the continued engagement of the African Union and support the mediation efforts by Special Representative Obasanjo.
Mr President, the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions is deeply worrying, as more and more people are in need of urgent assistance. All parties to the conflict have an obligation to facilitate safe and unhindered humanitarian access to all areas affected by conflict. It is also essential to restore basic services and the entry of fuel, cash and humanitarian supplies needed for aid operations.
We reiterate our deep concern about reported human rights violations and abuses, including widespread sexual and gender based violence. We welcome the publication of the joint report by the OHCHR and Ethiopian Human Rights Commission. We call for full implementation of the recommendations of the report and for ensuring accountability for the perpetrators. It is now up to the Ethiopian government to carry out its promises on this.
In conclusion, I would like to express deep regret that one year after the start of the conflict, the situation in northern Ethiopia has only deteriorated, with expanded hostilities, mounting deaths and suffering of civilians and a catastrophic humanitarian situation. In order to preserve the stability, unity and territorial integrity of Ethiopia, all sides must cease the hostilities and solve their differences through a genuine and inclusive national dialogue.