Nigeria's Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, is leading an international effort to end the conflict in Ethiopia, which has cost thousands of lives and displaced two million people, as fears of a rebel march on the capital Addis Ababa prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity.

Obasanjo stated that he remains hopeful that dialogue can end Ethiopia's year-long war, but warned in a statement released Sunday that "such talks cannot deliver" without an immediate ceasefire.

In addition to Obasanjo, US Special Envoy Jeffrey Feltman also visited the country last week for talks. Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta has also participated in regional efforts for dialogue, landing in Ethiopia on a surprise one-day visit Sunday.

Obasanjo said he was "optimistic that common ground towards a peaceful resolution of the conflict can be secured," however, he warned that talks "cannot deliver in an environment of escalated military hostilities."

"I, therefore, appeal to the leadership of all sides to halt their military offensives. This will allow an opportunity for dialogue to continue to progress," he said.

His comments came ahead of a three-nation visit to Africa by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who has backed Obasanjo's efforts at mediation and threatened to impose sanctions on Abiy's government and the TPLF unless they move forward on talks.