Dialogue the reliable and sustainable avenue to peace in Ethiopia: Nujoma

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The political and ideological conflict between Ethiopia’s federal government and the northern region of Tigray has the potential to escalate into a deadly civil war that could destabilise an already fragile and volatile region.

These remarks were made by founding President Sam Nujoma in a media statement on Friday, who called on all belligerents in Ethiopia to immediately cease hostilities, ensure humanitarian access and create conditions for the start of an Ethiopian-led political dialogue as the only pathway to a just and comprehensive peace.

He said dialogue remains the only reliable and sustainable avenue to peace, adding that there is no military solution to the conflict and battlefield victory does not guarantee political stability.

“I appeal to the leadership of all sides to halt their military offensives in order to allow an opportunity for dialogue. The lack of meaningful dialogue between the protagonists is particularly disturbing to me and I therefore call on all Ethiopians to come together, cease hostilities and find an amicable solution to sustainable peace,” he stressed.

Nujoma urged the African Union Peace and Security Council to urgently intervene in order to resolve and manage the conflict in Ethiopia.

“I appeal to them to facilitate timely and efficient responses to resolve the crisis situations in Ethiopia. Africa cannot afford a nation at war with itself, history has proven that civil wars have large and significant aggregate impacts on macroeconomic indicators such as Gross Domestic Product and trade,” Nujoma said.

The former president said in addition to affecting trade, violence can drive large scale human displacement, which in turn can have destabilising regional and global impacts.

“I call on all people of goodwill and leaders in Africa and the international community to continue to support the mediation efforts by H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, High Representative of the Chairperson of the African Union Commission for the Horn of Africa. This conflict is likely to be a protracted and destructive war with significant ramifications for Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa,” Nujoma stated.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency