At least 16 United Nations staff and dependents have been detained in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, a U.N. spokesperson said on Tuesday, amid reports of widespread arrests of ethnic Tigrayans. Additional reporting by Addis Ababa newsroom and Humeyra Pamuk and Daphne Psaledakis in Washington Writing by Maggie Fick and Katharine Houreld Editing by Franklin Paul, Giles Elgood and Mark Heinrich.
He wanted to know if we believe there is the possibility of a political solution to this problem. We said yes,” he told Reuters. But, Getachew added, “we are not willing to retreat because of the siege, because of the blockade.”
The United Nations has accused the government of operating a de facto blockade preventing humanitarian aid from entering Tigray. The government has denied blocking aid.
Getachew also said that a government air strike had killed dozens in the town of Chefa Robit and there had been drone and air strikes on Wollo University in Dessie and the town of Chifra in Afar.
Reuters was unable to independently confirm his account as communications to those areas are down. Government and military spokespeople did not return calls seeking comment.
The State Department said Washington believes there is a small window of an opening to work with the AU to make progress on peacefully resolving the conflict.
The U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Jeffrey Feltman, returned to Addis Ababa on Monday and remains in Ethiopia, Price said on Tuesday.
Government spokesperson Legesse and foreign affairs ministry spokesperson Dina Mufti did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the talks.
Source: Reuters
In other news – Generations: The Legacy Teasers – December 2021
Coming up on Generations in December 2021: Two teenage girls make a decision. But how to break the news to their friend? Nurse Lindiwe makes a last stop before leaving to start her new life.
Fikile does a job interview and is charmed by what she hears. Learn more
