U.S. official warns Washington will not 'stand by in the face of the horrors' in Tigray

Record ID: 1624109

  • Title: U.S. official warns Washington will not 'stand by in the face of the horrors' in Tigray
  • Date: 29th June 2021
  • Summary: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES (JUNE 29, 2021) (UNRESTRICTED POOL - Broadcasters: NONE Digital: NONE) WIDESHOT HEARING OF THE U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE ROBERT GODEC, THE ACTING U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS, AND SARAH CHARLES, AN ASSISTANT TO THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE UNITED STATES AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, SEATED AT A HEARING OF THE U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROBERT GODEC, THE ACTING U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS, SAYING: "If the government's announcement of a cessation of hostilities does not result in improvements and the situation continues to worsen, Ethiopia and Eritrea should anticipate further actions. We will not stand by in the face of horrors in Tigray. At the same time, we continue to emphasize to the governments of Addis Ababa and Asmara that another path is possible. We stand ready to work with them in ending the humanitarian suffering, resolving the conflict, and renewing momentum toward economic and political reforms. We urge them to make the rights choices for the people of Ethiopia." WIDESHOT HEARING OF THE U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE (SOUNDBITE) (English) ROBERT GODEC, THE ACTING U.S. ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR AFRICAN AFFAIRS, SAYING: "We will watch closely to determine if the ceasefire results in changes on the ground. But, the Ethiopian government's decision to declare a temporary end to hostilities is a promising development and we welcome it. It is essential, now, that all parties commit to the ceasefire, allow humanitarian access, protect civilians, there be independent investigations into atrocities and there is justice for victims. Ethiopia is at a pivot point; it's at an inflection point. What the parties do now matters and will determine whether there is a better future ahead for Ethiopia." WIDESHOT HEARING OF THE U.S. HOUSE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
  • Embargoed: 13th July 2021 16:42
  • Keywords: Eritrea Ethiopia Robert Godec
  • Location: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON, D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: USA
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics,United States
  • Reuters ID: LVA001EJGFGAV
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: EDITOR'S NOTE: THE EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 ASPECT RATIO VIDEO
    A senior U.S. State Department official on Tuesday (June 29) warned that Ethiopia and Eritrea should anticipate further actions from the United States if the announcement of a cessation of hostilities does not result in improvements in the Tigray region.
    The former rulers of Ethiopia's Tigray said on Monday they were back in control of the regional capital Mekelle after nearly eight months of fighting, and the government which ousted them declared a unilateral ceasefire with immediate effect.
    The developments marked a dramatic turn in a conflict that has killed thousands of people, displaced more than 2 million and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine.
    Robert Godec, acting assistant secretary of state for the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, said Washington welcomed the Ethiopian government's decision to declare a temporary end to hostilities, but warned that the United States will watch closely to determine whether the ceasefire results in changes on the ground.
    "We will not stand by in the face of horrors in Tigray," Godec told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.
    He also urged the Eritrean government to comply immediately with the cessation of hostilities and called for a permanent ceasefire in the region.
    It was not clear if other parties to the conflict would accept the ceasefire. The Ethiopian military spokesman, Eritrean information minister and Amhara regional spokesperson all said they were unable to comment.
    (Production: George Tamerlani)
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