Ethiopia is an important partner with whom we have a long history of relations. Ethiopia has garnered much sympathy, also in Germany, for the peace agreement it concluded with Eritrea and for pursuing courageous domestic reforms.

This presently makes us all the more concerned about the conflict in the Tigray region. After the announcement that Tigray’s regional capital Mekelle is about to be captured, we clearly believe that both sides must end all acts of violence. All sides must do everything in their power to protect civilians and to ensure access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

We are shocked by the suffering that we see: crimes against the civilian population must be investigated, and those responsible must be called to account. This must not become an ethnic conflict.

Ethiopia needs a ceasefire. We therefore expressly support the mediation offer by the African Union, which has sent three special representatives to Addis Ababa. The only thing that can bring peace to the country is a political process that ultimately continues the course of reform launched by Prime Minister Abiy.