Ethiopia – France welcomes the cessation of hostilities declared by the Federal Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (3 November 2022)

France welcomes yesterday’s announcement of the cessation of hostilities in northern Ethiopia following a week of negotiations conducted in South Africa under the aegis of the African Union.

This decision is an important first step towards a lasting ceasefire and a resolution of the crisis which has been raging for two years. France welcomes the wisdom and courage of the parties, paving the way to a political dialogue, the only viable solution for preserving Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The urgent thing now is to ensure that humanitarian access routes and basic services are restored in all the regions affected by the conflict, particularly Tigray. France stands ready to facilitate aid delivery and support for the people affected by the conflict.

France reiterates its support for the African Union’s mediation and its readiness, alongside the United Nations, European Union, United States, Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and all the partners in the international community, to support the next stages in the political process under way.