AU urges Ethiopia to exercise restraint

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

The African Union has called for all Ethiopian stakeholders to refrain from acts that undermine peace and stability.

Ethiopia imposed martial law on Friday for six months following a crippling strike in the central Oromia regional state and increasing reports of ethnic clashes across the country.

In a statement on Wednesday, AU Commission chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat said he was confident in the ability of the Ethiopian authorities and people to overcome the challenges at hand and to consolidate the remarkable progress made in the socio-economic development of the country.

He stressed, “the need for all concerned stakeholders to display a spirit of responsibility and refrain from any acts likely to undermine peace and stability”.

Mahamat said he looks forward to the strengthening of the steps taken to respond to the concerns expressed by segments of the population in a spirit of dialogue, mutual tolerance and commitment to Ethiopia's best interests that transcend all political and other differences.

“The stability of Ethiopia is crucial for the well-being of its people, the region and Africa as a whole.”

Ethiopia, Africa's second most populous nation, is home to the AU headquarters and is an influential member state in the 55-nation member continental body.

Ethiopia has been facing incessant protests since 2016, especially in three most populous regional states Oromia, Amhara and Southern due to alleged political and economic marginalization.

The unrest that has led to the deaths of hundreds has been dubbed by analysts as the gravest challenge the ruling coalition Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front faced in 25 years. – SAnews.gov.za-Xinhua