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ADDIS ABABA, Dec.13 (Xinhua) – The Ethiopian government on Sunday expressed concern about “unauthorized travel” by humanitarian personnel to unsafe areas in the conflict-affected regional state of Tigray after a recent attack by forces. armed against humanitarian workers.
“On December 6, a convoy carrying UN personnel without authorized travel permits ignored repeated warnings and pleas from security officials, in violation of the UN-government agreement on humanitarian access,” the government said. Ethiopian in a statement issued Sunday.
“Law enforcement personnel had to stop the vehicle and escort the UN personnel to safety,” he added.
Recognizing the need for international humanitarian organizations to “urgently obtain” aid supplies in the Tigray region, the Ethiopian government also stressed that it maintains the position that “proper authorization from federal authorities is required.”
The Ethiopian government also stressed that according to the agreement recently reached between the Ethiopian government and the UN, “it is important that all humanitarian workers follow the security guidelines established by the Ethiopian government.”
It also reiterated its “obligation to seriously ensure the safety of humanitarian workers and supplies. We wish to once again remind all humanitarian workers to adhere to agreed security protocols and follow the advice of law enforcement personnel.”
The statement came after an attack on humanitarian workers by armed forces in the conflict-affected Ethiopia regional state of Tigray by armed forces.
On Friday, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) said it “regrets confirming the killing of a staff member at the Hitsats refugee camp in Shire, Ethiopia.”
The IRC, which is working in Tigray to support 96,000 Eritrean refugees in four camps with a variety of services, including clean water, sanitation and education, further called on “all parties to the conflict to agree to an immediate ceasefire and ensure civilians, including refugees and humanitarian workers, are protected and can continue to access and provide life-saving services. “
The UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the UN Refugee Agency, also said last week that “Ethiopian forces fired at UN personnel and briefly detained them as they tried to assess roads in Tigray, a key step before the large aid convoys can go in. “
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government also welcomed “the apology” given by Catherine Sozi, UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Ethiopia, over the incident, while emphasizing its hopes that “the UN will establish mechanisms to prevent similar infractions. going forward as it undermines humanitarian coordination and poses serious security risks. “
It also reaffirmed its willingness to work closely with the UN in accordance with the agreement concluded on November 29, noting that Ethiopia is “grateful for the critical assistance provided to our vulnerable citizens in this time of need.”
Ethiopia’s federal government has been conducting military operations in the country’s northernmost Tigray regional state since November 4 against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), which used to rule the region, following the attack without precedents of the TPLF against the Northern Command of the Ethiopian Defense Forces. .
The Ethiopian government’s military operation to restore constitutional order took three weeks and was completed when the regional capital, Mekelle, came under federal command.
Since the government’s capture of Mekelle, federal police have been deployed to gather evidence and arrest the leaders and members of the TPLF who are responsible for the crimes. Final product
