Situation in Ethiopia

Subject: Situation in Ethiopia

The conflict that began in Ethiopia in November 2020 after Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered an offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has escalated further into a civil war and major humanitarian crisis. War crimes may also have been committed, according to a UN report1 of 3 November.

There is an urgent need for humanitarian aid to help the millions of innocent citizens who are victims of this conflict. For some time, however, aid organisations have been facing obstacles as they attempt to reach those in need. The European Union must act to protect citizens and restore peace in the region.

1. A declaration2 by the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy of 4 November 2021 states that the EU stands ready to take measures. What measures will be taken and how will they help to resolve the conflict?

2. How will the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ensure that the humanitarian aid reaches those in need?

3. What role will the EU play in bringing about a ceasefire?

1 https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/ET/OHCHR-EHRC-Tigray-Report.pdf

2 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/11/04/declaration-by-the-high-representative-

on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-situation-in-ethiopia/

Answer given by High Representative/Vice-President Borrell on behalf of the European Commission (21 January 2022)

The EU is doing its utmost to try to bring warring parties to talks in order to reach a ceasefire. The EU supports the ongoing mediation efforts conducted by the African Union High Representative.

The EU also works closely with its Member States, international partners and regional actors. The EU continuously tries to bring the situation in Ethiopia to the attention of the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

On 5 November 2021, the members of the Security Council called through a press statement ‘to put an end to hostilities and to negotiate a lasting ceasefire’. At the request of the EU, a special session on Ethiopia was held at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on 17 December 2021.

In light of the numerous serious human rights violations witnessed on the ground and based on the outcomes of the joint Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)/ Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report of 3 November 2021 (3), the EU started working on restrictive measures under the EU’s global human rights sanctions.

Soon listings will be proposed for adoption to the Council. The EU is also considering possible additional responses within the framework of the UN Human Rights Council or within other frameworks.

In terms of development program, the EU suspended budget support as of December 2020. No Multiannual Indicative Programme will be presented for adoption unless there are progress on the following fronts: ceasefire; unhindered humanitarian access; accountability for those responsible of atrocities; and withdrawal of Eritrean troops.

In terms of humanitarian support, since the beginning of the Tigray crisis, the EU has provided around EUR 80 million in humanitarian aid for people affected by the Tigray/northern Ethiopia conflict.

The EU works only with certified partners to ensure that EU humanitarian assistance reaches those most in need. In addition, the EU, via its field experts present in Ethiopia, also monitors closely the delivery of humanitarian assistance on the ground.

⋅1∙ https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/ET/OHCHR-EHRC-Tigray-Report.pdf

⋅2∙ https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2021/11/04/declaration-by-the-high-representative-on-behalf-of-the-eu-on-the-situation-in-ethiopia/

⋅3∙ Report of the Office of the OHCHR/ EHRC Joint Investigation into Alleged Violations of International Human Rights, Humanitarian and Refugee Law Committed by

all Parties to the Conflict in Tigray: https://www.ohchr.org/Documents/Countries/ET/OHCHR-EHRC-Tigray-Report.pdf