France called Thursday, August 25 the Ethiopian authorities and Tigrayan rebels who clash to immediately stop the fighting and resume negotiations.
“
France is very concerned about the resumption of hostilities in northern Ethiopia and calls on all parties to immediately cease fighting
,” a Foreign Ministry spokesperson said in a statement.
Violence and humanitarian distress
“
France calls on the federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) to resume peace negotiations without preconditions, under the aegis of the African Union.
The priority must be to ensure access for humanitarian aid to populations affected by the conflict, and the restoration of basic services in the north of the country
,” he added.
Fighting between the government and Tigrayan rebels erupted around 4 a.m. Wednesday, shattering a five-month truce and threatening to plunge northern Ethiopia back into violence and worsen humanitarian distress.
Both parties reject responsibility for the breaking of the truce.
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During this truce, the international community worked to convince the belligerents to discuss.
The African Union has stepped up contacts via its special envoy, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
American, European and UN envoys also traveled to Mekele, capital of Tigray, in early August.
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