Statement by the Alliance for Peacebuilding on the Deteriorating Crisis in Ethiopia
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 5, 2021
CONTACT
Nick Zuroski | (202) 822-2047 | nick@allianceforpeacebuilding.org
AfP Calls on the U.S. and International Community to Take Immediate Steps to Prevent Violence and Address the Looming Famine
Washington, D.C., USA. – The Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP), the leading nonpartisan global network of 150+ members working in 181 countries to end violent conflict and build sustainable peace, is deeply concerned about the deteriorating crisis in Ethiopia, famine, and year-long violent conflict and regional stability. AfP calls on the international community to take immediate measures to de-escalate the conflict and ensure the immediate and robust delivery of critically needed humanitarian assistance to the people of Tigray.
This week marked the one year anniversary of the start of the violent conflict resulting in the deaths of thousands of Ethiopians, 5.5 million more facing food insecurity, and the displacement of more than two million. These figures will continue to multiply significantly if the international community does not act immediately to address the escalating crisis. The government’s recent declaration of a state of emergency and President Abiy’s calls for the residents of Addis Ababa to take up arms to defend the capital as the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) and Oromo Liberation Front (OLA) advance could lead to an all-out civil war in Ethiopia.
AfP welcomes Friday’s open debate on the situation at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which is a rare occurrence, but an extremely positive development and opportunity to publicly discuss the increasingly volatile crisis, catastrophic humanitarian situation, and implications on regional stability.
The parties must now exercise restraint and work towards a comprehensive ceasefire and negotiated settlement. AfP further calls on the parties to heed the statement from the Chairman of the African Union (AU) to refrain from violent reprisals, hate speech, and incitement to violence. As noted in a bipartisan Congressional statement, all parties must allow the free flow of humanitarian aid into Tigray and the north and immediately cease the commission of atrocities, gross violations of human rights, and the targeting of civilians.
AfP calls on the UNSC to speak with a unified voice, condemn the escalating violence, call for accountability for human rights abuses, and demand immediate access for humanitarian agencies. The international community must consider the deployment of sanctions, similar to those announced by the U.S. in September, and other coercive measures. The AU, with the support of the UN and U.S., should accelerate efforts to bring the parties to the negotiation table.
The scale of the famine and increasing violent conflict in Ethiopia and across the Horn of Africa requires an urgent common strategy to address escalating conflict drivers and promote peace. The U.S., UN, and international community must act now through an immediate, coordinated approach that prioritizes the protection of Ethiopian civilians and delivery of direly needed humanitarian assistance.
With more than 150 member organizations, AfP brings together the largest development organizations, most innovative academic institutions, and influential humanitarian and faith-based groups to harness collective action for peace. We build coalitions in key areas of strategy and policy to elevate the entire peacebuilding field, tackling issues too large for any one organization to address alone.