UNSC Fails to Reach Ceasefire In Ethiopia

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The 15th UN Security Council meeting failed to reach an agreement on a statement calling for a ceasefire in Ethiopia between Tigray and government forces.

A diplomatic source said Russia and China rejected the draft text submitted by Ireland, a non-permanent member of the council, which eventually led to the draft being dropped.

The Russian diplomatic mission to the council revealed a disagreement over the draft text. It was not possible to obtain a comment from the Chinese mission in the Council on this rejection, the source said.

The draft text, a copy of which was obtained by France 24, calls on the Security Council for unhindered humanitarian access and an end to hostilities, as well as the launch of a comprehensive national dialogue in Ethiopia.

In coordination with the African Union's mediator, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, Guterres held separate phone talks with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the leader of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, Debretsion Gebremichael, according to a statement released on Friday evening by United Nations Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. 

Guterres asked both parties to stop the fighting and start comprehensive negotiations to resolve the current crisis.

Last Friday, the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, issued an appeal to all Ethiopians, while they face what he called "internal and external threats," calling on them "to stand in unity." This was announced via Ahmed's account on Twitter.

While there are many struggles and discomforts we may have to face as the nation confronts both external & internal threats, I ask all Ethiopians to stand in unity & ride the passing momentary wave. Standing together we CAN overcome! We have done it before. And we will do it now.

<ahref="https://t.co/OAVEQLZBPc">pic.twitter.com/OAVEQLZBPc

— Abiy Ahmed Ali 🇪🇹 (@AbiyAhmedAli) November 19, 2021

The White House recommended that US citizens leave Ethiopia as soon as possible, amid growing concerns in light of the escalation of armed conflict in the country. The White House warned that the situation in Ethiopia could change at any moment and flight options could disappear.