By TESFA-ALEM TEKLE
US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Ambassador Mike Hammer on Monday arrived in Mekelle, capital of Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region.
This is Hammer’s second visit since the Tigray region established an Interim Administration two months ago.
Up on arrival at Mekelle’s Alula Abanega International Airport, the special envoy was warmly welcomed by Tigray Interim regional Administration President Getachew Reda and other high ranking officials.
The special envoy is accompanied by Tracey Ann Jacobson, US Ambassador to Ethiopia.
Shortly after arrival in Mekelle, Mike Hammer has held talks with leaders of the Tigrai Interim Administration on the overall implementation of the Pretoria Peace agreement signed between the Federal Government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
“We briefed Mike Hammer and his team on the progress made so far as well as challenges ahead” Mr. Getachew Reda, President of Tigray Interim regional Administration said in a tweet post after the meeting.
“We both emphasized the need to expedite the return of IDPs to Western Tigray, the challenges the Eritrean regime continues to pose to the full implementation of the Pretoria agreement” he added.
Despite the peace deal, Eritrean troops who fought alongside the Ethiopian military and allied militias in the two-year conflict in Tigray region haven’t yet completely withdrawn from Tigray territories.
The continued presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, despite a November peace deal, thus has been seen as a significant obstacle to the effective implementation of the AU brokered peace accord.
The US, alongside the European Union, have been piling pressure on Eritrea to exit its troops.
However, their withdrawal has neither been confirmed by the peace deal signatories nor the agreement’s observation mission.
US had played a key role in the peace process that led to a November 2, 2022, peace agreement between TPLF and the Ethiopian Federal Government.
Ambassador Hammer and his delegation was also briefed on the progress in the investigation into allegations of aid diversion.
“We have shared highlights of findings and reassured them that we will make the findings public and hold those responsible to account very soon” Mr. Getachew Reda said.
The regional president was talking about an alleged ‘significant diversion’ of aid that led to UN agency to suspend food distribution operations in Tigray since last month.
In a statement issued on 4 May, WFP said it’s “deeply concerned” over reports that significant amounts of humanitarian food assistance has been diverted away from those in desperate need in the post-conflict region of Tigray.
“WFP takes this issue extremely seriously and will not tolerate any interference in its distribution of critical food aid to the most vulnerable women, men and children”, the agency said.
WFP further announced launching a comprehensive investigation, and “taken swift action to establish all the facts and further strengthen our controls.”
It however said it will temporarily suspend all food distributions in Tigray, until it ensures aid is delivered to the intended recipients.
The Tigray war, which began in November 2020, has claimed the lives of over 600,000 people and forced millions to flee their homes.
Since the conflict between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front broke out, the Tigray region has been under a de facto blockade which cut off road and air access, medical supplies, as well as humanitarian aid.
Despite the peace deal, Eritrean troops who fought alongside the Ethiopian military and allied militias in the two-year conflict in Tigray region haven’t yet completely withdrawn from Tigray territories.
As a result, 90 % of the region’s population was under a famine-like situation putting the lives of millions at risk.
(Source: The East African Daily)