The chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahmoud Youssouf, has called for immediate de-escalation amid renewed tensions in Northern Ethiopia.

Mr Youssouf, in a statement, expressed his concern over the military escalation in the state, which has led to the seizure and occupation of the airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire.

He also raised concerns over the detention of federal personnel by the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and the disruption of civilian air services.

Mr Youssouf said reports of escalating hostilities in parts of South Tigray and the Afar Region, as well as the recent formation of new political and military alliances, could further destabilise the situation.

He added that such developments could reverse the gains made towards ending the conflict since 2020.

The chairperson reaffirmed that the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities, signed in Pretoria on November 2 2022, between the Ethiopian government and the TPLF, remains the cornerstone for establishing peace and reconciliation in the country.

Mr Youssouf said the seizure and occupation of the civilian airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire by Tigray forces undermine efforts to ensure peace and stability.

The chairperson called for utmost restraint and an immediate halt to any actions that could further escalate tensions, and urged the resumption of direct talks within the framework of the Pretoria Agreement.

He urged other neighbouring countries of Ethiopia to refrain from actions that contribute to further tension in the state, and instead support dialogue and confidence-building.

Mr Youssouf called on former Nigerian president and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, to urgently engage the parties and support renewed diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions, promote dialogue, and safeguard the peace process.