The United Nations, the African Union (AU), and the US Department of State Sunday voiced approval for the Tigray regional government’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Ethiopia conflict and its willingness to engage with the AU. Moussa Faki Mahamat, Chairperson of the AU Commission emphasised that this “positive development is a unique opportunity for the restoration of peace in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.”

Stéphane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General of the UN supported the Tigray’s regional government and called on the “parties to take this opportunity to establish peace” and encouraged the parties to engage actively with the AU, “to create conducive conditions for the talks to take place.” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the “US stands with the people of Ethiopia and supports ongoing diplomatic efforts led by AU, and in the spirit of the Ethiopian new year, we call on the country’s leaders to put Ethiopia on a path that achieves a lasting peace.”

In November 2020, conflict erupted in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region among between Ethiopian government forces and its allies and Tigrayan forces. The conflict continued throughout the year of growing political tensions between the Ethiopian federal government and Tigray’s regional authority, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Human rights organisations have alleged serious violations of international humanitarian law by warring parties, including summary executions, widespread sexual violence and the pillage of property. Despite the declaration of a humanitarian truce in late March, human rights violations are still ongoing.