US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed over the telephone to discuss the latest developments in the war-hit Tigray region. In a press statement, Ned Price, the spokesman of the US Department of State, said that Blinken stressed the need for all parties to commit to an immediate and indefinite ceasefire in the northern Tigray region during his talks with the Ethiopian premier. The conflict in Tigray has killed thousands of people, displaced more than 2 million and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine, with international pressure building on both sides to end hostilities. Condemning the destruction of bridges into Tigray and other impediments to access, the US secretary of state urged Prime Minister Abiy to commit to the steps outlined in the United Nations Security Council on July 2. He also sought a commitment for the withdrawal of both Eritrean and Amhara forces from Tigray, humanitarian access and the establishment of a process to hold those responsible for human rights abuses and atrocities accountable. Blinken emphasized the urgency of holding an inclusive political dialogue to begin the difficult work of forging a lasting resolution to the country's ethnic and political divisions, the statement added. The Ethiopian government declared a unilateral ceasefire last week after its troops pulled out of Tigray's capital of Mekelle in what it called a strategic withdrawal. — Agencies
