On Twitter, the Portuguese diplomat posted that UN personnel carry out critical and impartial work in Ethiopia, but Addis Ababa pointed out that some humanitarian entities conduct actions subject to a hidden political agenda instead of adjusting their efforts to relief works. As far as Guterres is aware, the UN staff members are being held without charge, and no specific information has been provided regarding the reasons for their arrest.
The Secretary-General stresses the obligation of respecting the privileges and immunities of United Nations personnel, both international and Ethiopian, as well as protecting United Nations personnel and other humanitarian workers in Ethiopia, including from arbitrary detention.
The course of the military conflict will not bring lasting peace and stability to Ethiopia, Guterres said, urging the parties to end hostilities and prioritize the welfare of civilians.
“Safe and unhindered humanitarian access must be restored urgently,” he said, calling for solving problems to dialogue involving all Ethiopians.
On Wednesday, Ethiopian Minister of State for the Communications Service Debede Desisa railed against several international organizations for “complaining without evidence of an alleged official blockade in the northern part of Ethiopia.”
Such entities, he added, are unwilling to condemn outrages committed by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) against innocent people in Amhara and Afar regions, on the contrary, they only listen to and circulate fake reports made by TPLF.
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