The UN Security Council called Friday for an end to the hostilities in Ethiopia and advocated for the implementation of a permanent ceasefire.

This statement is the Security Council’s second statement on the crisis in one year, following its earlier statement in April. The 15-member body expressed its “deep concern” over the increased military actions in the country. The council further expressed its worry about the effect of the conflict on the humanitarian situation in the country.

The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, earlier stated that the conflict is “A humanitarian catastrophe is unfolding before our eyes.” Of the humanitarian situation, the UN warns that 400,000 people are grappling with famine-like conditions and that a further 100,000 people are living in extreme malnutrition. The council has thus urged for the respect of International humanitarian law, including unhindered humanitarian access to provide the much-needed humanitarian aid.

The council’s statement’s also called for an end to hate speech and inflammatory statements of incitement. Additionally, the council has acknowledged the regional efforts to address the crisis. This includes the recent statement by the African Union Commission chairperson, Moussa Faki, in which he called on the parties to amicably end the hostilities and to engage with the African Union in a consensual political process. 

Earlier this month, the UN reported that there are reasonable grounds to support a finding that both parties to the conflict committed war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The year-long conflict in the Northern region of the country has escalated recently. The government declared a six-month state of emergency on Tuesday.