Ugandan president calls for conference on Ethiopia

Diplomatic efforts to divert attacks on the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, intensified today as Tigrayan forces moved towards the capital this week.

US Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman has arrived in Addis Ababa today to press for a halt to military operations and the start of ceasefire talks.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has called for a meeting of East African leaders on November 16 to discuss the war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigrean TPLF.

The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) also called for an immediate ceasefire and urged the parties to exercise restraint.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he had spoken to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and pledged support for his office to create an atmosphere of dialogue and end the fighting.

Meanwhile, the US embassy in Addis Ababa yesterday agreed to allow some staff and their families to leave the city due to the conflict.

Washington on Wednesday said it was “deeply concerned” about the situation and called for a halt to military operations.

“The State Department has approved that unnecessary workers and their families may leave Ethiopia due to armed conflict, civil unrest and possible supplies shortages,” the US embassy in Addis Ababa said in a statement.

The Abiy government on Tuesday declared a state of emergency after the Tigrayans threatened to seize the capital.

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