DECEMBER 09, 2020

RISCH, CARDIN INTRODUCE RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING PEACEFUL RESOLUTION TO TIGRAY CONFLICT IN ETHIOPIA

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations subcommittee that oversees civilian security, democracy, and human rights, today introduced a bipartisan resolution calling on the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front to cease all hostilities, protect the human rights of all Ethiopians, and pursue a peaceful resolution of the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.

“The conflict in Tigray presents a dire humanitarian situation and a direct threat to Ethiopia’s historic transition to democracy,” said Risch. “This bipartisan resolution encourages the Ethiopian federal government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front to engage in dialogue that will address grievances and pursue a peaceful and sustainable end to the conflict. A stable and democratic Ethiopia is critical to the security of the broader region, and the United States will continue to be supportive of good-faith efforts to further democratic progress.”

“The ongoing fighting in Tigray has already cost thousands of lives and created a humanitarian crisis of disastrous proportions, threatening the long-term stability not only of Ethiopia, but the entire region,” said Cardin. “For the sake of the Ethiopian people and their loved ones across the diaspora, many of whom I’m proud to represent in Maryland, the violence must stop. All parties to this conflict must work together towards reconciliation, justice, and lasting peace.”