UN secretary-general António Guterres has endorsed the African Union’s mediation led by Olusegun Obasanjo as escalating fighting in northern Ethiopia raises fears of a broader conflict.

Mr Guterres, in a statement by his spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric, expressed grave concern over the rapidly deteriorating security situation, including the seizure of airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire.

He also cited intensified fighting in and around Tigray and reports that hostilities were spreading into neighbouring areas.

The UN chief warned the parties against actions capable of plunging Ethiopia into “a broader and more devastating conflict”. He called for maximum restraint and immediate de-escalation while urging all sides to protect civilians.

Mr Guterres threw his weight behind African Union diplomatic efforts, particularly Obasanjo’s engagement with the parties. He urged them to return to good-faith negotiations under the framework of the Pretoria Agreement.

The African Union has similarly called for an immediate halt to escalation and renewed direct talks under the peace accord.

AU Commission chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has asked Mr Obasanjo, its high representative for the Horn of Africa, to urgently re-engage the parties.

The AU said the former Nigerian leader’s renewed intervention aimed to reduce tensions, promote dialogue, and safeguard the peace process.

The latest escalation threatens a peace agreement that ended two years of devastating warfare between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.

Mr Obasanjo led the AU mediation team that brokered the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities in Pretoria on November 2, 2022.

Former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka also facilitated the talks.

The agreement provided for a cessation of hostilities, humanitarian access, restoration of essential services, and measures toward disarmament, reconciliation, and political dialogue. The latest crisis has centred partly on Tigray’s three major civilian airports, and the AU said Tigrayan forces seized and occupied Mekelle, Axum and Shire airports and detained federal personnel.

The UN chief urged the parties to avoid military actions capable of widening hostilities and worsening civilian suffering. Mr Guterres, therefore, urged the parties to return to dialogue rather than allow military confrontation to unravel the peace process.

Mr Obasanjo has remained central to the AU-led process since he was appointed high representative for the Horn of Africa.

Mr Guterres said the immediate priority must be de-escalation, civilian protection, humanitarian access and a return to good-faith negotiations. The UN Human Rights Office expressed alarm about the impact of renewed fighting on civilians and called for immediate de-escalation.

(NAN)