Ethiopian government declares ceasefire in Tigray conflict

The Ethiopian government on Monday declared a unilateral ceasefire in the conflict in the northern Tigray region, against which it has been waging an armed offensive since November, after the regional interim administration called for a cessation of hostilities.

In a statement read out on state television, the Ethiopian executive decreed the ceasefire and called on the federal army and the regional armed forces to respect it, in reference to the forces of the neighbouring region of Amhara, which are involved in the war.

According to sources in the interim administration of Tigray, appointed by Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian army left the regional capital, Mekele, on Monday after the forces of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), part of the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF), took control of the city.

A diplomatic source who wished to remain anonymous assured Efe that, during this week, the Ethiopian government had entered into a dialogue with the US and British embassies to ask them to negotiate secretly with the LPTF.

The withdrawal of federal forces from the regional capital was a condition set by the Western governments contacted by the Ethiopian authorities, this diplomatic source explained.

On the other hand, the executive director of UNICEF, Henrietta H. Fore, denounced on the social network Twitter that members of the Ethiopian Armed Forces entered her office in Mekele on Monday and "dismantled" her satellite communication equipment.

"This action violates the privileges and immunity of the UN and the rules of international humanitarian law," Fore said.

Prior to the central government's announcement, Abraham Belay, head of the interim Tigrayan government, had on Monday called for a political solution to the conflict and sent a proposal to the government of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

"Addressing the humanitarian crisis in Tigray is the responsibility of the federal government, we cannot wait for this to come from the rebel group that is playing with the lives of the people," Abraham said on state television.

The conflict in Tigray erupted on 4 November after the central government attacked the PFLT, then the region's ruling party, in retaliation for a previous alleged attack by Tigrayan forces on a federal army base.

Abiy Ahmed declared victory over Tigrayan forces in late November after the federal army seized Mekele, but the war remained active despite calls from the international community for a cessation of hostilities.

Since the conflict began, thousands of people have been killed, nearly two million have been internally displaced in the region and at least 75,000 Ethiopians have fled to neighbouring Sudan, which borders Tigray, according to official figures.

Human rights violations have been documented in the region, including an organised strategy of sexual violence and looting against civilians and infrastructure in the region, according to medical witnesses and humanitarian organisations.