UN chief urges immediate cease‑fire as fighting resurges in northern Ethiopia

UN Secretary‑General António Guterres issued a statement on Friday night urging an immediate end to the renewed fighting in Ethiopia’s northern regions of Tigray, Afar and Amhara. He highlighted reports that Eritrean forces are operating in the country, a development that could widen the conflict beyond Ethiopia’s borders. Guterres referenced the 2022 Pretoria Agreement, which formally ended the civil war in Tigray, and called on its signatories to return to dialogue under that framework. He also reminded neighboring states of their UN Charter duty to refrain from the threat or use of force against another nation’s territorial integrity.

Humanitarian agencies report that the clashes have displaced people across central, north‑western and eastern Tigray, though verified figures are not yet available. The UN’s humanitarian affairs chief, Tom Fletcher, stressed the need for safe and rapid access for aid workers, noting that continued hostilities have forced the suspension of food, health and other life‑saving deliveries. A government‑led programme to return displaced families from the town of Kobo to their home areas has also been halted as security deteriorated. Ethiopia accuses Eritrea of an “all‑out invasion,” while Eritrea denies any involvement with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front; Ethiopian drone strikes have reportedly hit Eritrean positions in Adigrat.

Guterres also offered his good offices to facilitate negotiations and appealed to countries with influence over the parties to use that leverage for de‑escalation, warning all states to avoid actions that could fuel the fighting. He noted that the UN and its partners stand ready to resume aid operations in the northern regions as soon as safe access is secured. Media reports indicate that fighting between Ethiopian government troops and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front began about two weeks ago, with each side accusing the other of violating the 2022 peace accord. Recent accounts say TPLF forces withdrew from the regional capital Mekelle, which is now under army control.