Eritrea admits presence in Ethiopia's Tigray, tells U.N. withdrawing
Posted: 16 Apr 2021, 16:58
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210 ... mediately/"The Eritrean government must withdraw its forces from Ethiopia immediately," Thomas-Greenfield said.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210 ... mediately/..."She said there were credible reports that Eritrean forces are re-uniforming as Ethiopian military in order to remain in Tigray indefinitely, according to a statement late Thursday.
"The Eritrean government must withdraw its forces from Ethiopia immediately," Thomas-Greenfield said.
Last month Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Eritrea has agreed to pull out its forces from Ethiopian territories along the border.
Abiy made the announcement after he returned from a two-day official visit to Eritrea's capital Asmara.
The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) last month said over 100 civilians were killed in Axum, a historic city of Ethiopia's Tigray region, by the Eritrean army.
READ: Allegations of 'sexual slavery' in Ethiopia's Tigray; women blame soldiers
"We are horrified by the reports of rape and other unspeakably cruel sexual violence that continue to surface," Thomas-Greenfield said, adding that the degradation and trauma associated with the attacks will have long-term effects on the affected communities.
She also condemned all sexual violence and demanded that the perpetrators be brought to justice.
"We call again for an end to hostilities and for the Ethiopian government to deliver upon a political settlement of the crisis; permit unhindered humanitarian access; allow for independent, international investigations into human rights abuses and violations; protect civilians; enact the immediate withdrawal of Eritrean and Amhara regional forces from Tigray; and hold those responsible for human rights violations accountable," she added
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