UN deplores fighting while famine looms

The UN Security Council on Wednesday expressed its dismay at the ongoing conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, especially given that millions of people are facing serious drought and possible food shortages, and repeated its call for “an immediate and unconditional ceasefire”. It also called on the two countries to cooperate with the high-level delegation currently working on trying to have implemented a framework agreement, nominally accepted by both sides, and reiterated its call for all countries to immediately halt the sale of arms and ammunition to both countries.

Council president, Ambassador Baboucarr-Blaise Jagne of The Gambia, said members were greatly concerned that both countries were continuing to buy weapons while much of their populations faced famine. “The members of the Council remind the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea that it is their primary responsibility to feed their peoples,” he said. People in camps face serious health conditions and the food situation could become critical, Jagne said. He also requested that both countries grant humanitarian access to areas of fighting in order to help the local population.