Van Hollen Statement on Meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health Policy released the following statement regarding his meeting with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed as part of the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit this week:

“As Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) maintain a fragile truce, it is vital that all the parties involved act in good faith to fully adhere to the tenets of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in order to bring peace to all of Ethiopia. Today I met with Prime Minister Abiy to discuss the crucial importance of implementing all elements of the peace agreement. I urged Prime Minister Abiy to ensure the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Ethiopia, to accelerate progress in restoring services to Tigray, and to allow human rights monitors into the country to verify compliance with the agreement. As this process moves forward, it is critical for the TPLF to also adhere to its commitments under the peace agreement, including full disarmament. I also urged Prime Minister Abiy to implement a credible and transparent transitional justice process to ensure that those on all sides who have committed grave human rights abuses during the conflict are held to account. Lastly, as deadly attacks are on the rise in Oromia, there must be a political process to resolve the conflict in Oromia as well. As I conveyed to the Prime Minister, the United States remains committed to supporting political dialogue and will continue to do everything in our power to foster a lasting peace and thorough accountability for all the people of Ethiopia.”