Tigray: Fighting must end, urges Guterres, amid ‘extraordinary’ level of interest |

That is according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres who briefed the press on Monday morning outside the Security Council, saying that violence and destruction “have reached alarming levels.”

It was the second intervention by the UN chief in as many days, as reports emerged of heavy bombing of Shire and other Tigrayan towns, and food supplies running out in the regional capital of Mekelle, amid rising concerns over famine. it is possible.

Hundreds of thousands have been displaced since Government forces began fighting Tigray’s separatist forces in November 2020, following rising tensions between national and regional authorities.

It is reported that the Eritrean army has joined the Ethiopian army and crossed the border to Tigray. Aid distribution has been severely hampered since the fighting began in August, with fuel shortages and communications blackouts.

Eritrean pull-back

UN chief says “it must come”immediate withdrawal and disengagement of the Eritrean armed forces from Ethiopia”, adding that civilians are “paying a terrible price” across the region.

“Indiscriminate attacks – including in residential areas – are killing more innocent people every daydamaging critical infrastructure and reducing access to essential services.”

He said we had received disturbing accounts of “sexual violence and other violent acts against women, children and men. All parties must abide by their obligations under international humanitarian law. “

The level of need, he said, is now staggering and even before fighting resumes in August after a five-month break, 13 million are in need across the war zone that includes Tigray, Amhara and Afar in the north.

7-week aid suspension

Deliveries of aid into Tigray have been suspended for seven weeks, Mr Guterres said, and aid to Amhara and Afar has also been disrupted.

“All parties must accept and facilitate a rapid and unrestricted form of humanitarian relief for all citizens in need. The United Nations is ready to support the African Union in every possible way to end this dream for the people of Ethiopia.”

He added his voice to the AU’s call for the resumption of talks, which were supposed to take place in South Africa last month.

“We need an urgent resumption of negotiations towards an effective, lasting political solution”, said the Secretary General. “Them The international community must now mobilize for peace in Ethiopia.”

Haiti: Humanitarian law must be established by force

Interdiction of critical humanitarian and civilian supplies in the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince by armed gangs, and the growing threat of insurgency, requires “military action” to create a corridor life-saving humanitarian, the UN chief said, in response to a press query on Monday.

The lack of oil has caused a water crisis, which is causing an attack that has already killed many: “You know that the treatment for wounds, the most important treatment is hydration, and there is no water in the city.”

‘nightmarish situation’

“So, it’s an absolute nightmare situation for the people of Haiti, especially Port-au-Prince.”

Mr. Guterres said this is why he is urging the Security Council to act, to strengthen the national police with training and equipment. But the current crisis means that more needs to be done.

“In the current circumstances, military action is needed to liberate the station and to allow the humanitarian corridor to be established… I am talking about something to be done based on strict humanitarian principles, six political freedoms of a problem that needs to be solved by the Haitians themselves.”