Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions she has had (a) at the United Nations Security Council and (b) with the African Union and Governments in the region on securing (i) a ceasefire, (ii) full humanitarian access and (iii) investigations into human rights atrocities in Ethiopia.

We regularly discuss the conflict in Ethiopia with a wide variety of partners, including at the UN and the African Union (AU). I spoke on 28 October at a UN Security Council (UNSC) open debate, stressing the importance of cooperation between the UN and AU in this conflict. The Foreign Secretary spoke with the AU Horn of Africa Envoy Olusegun Obasanjo on 12 October and offered our full support to his efforts. I spoke with him on 4 November to discuss the situation in Ethiopia and reiterate our support. I also spoke with the AU Commissioner Bankole Adeoye on 8 November about the urgent need for a ceasefire and humanitarian access in Ethiopia. During the World Leaders Summit at COP26, I was also able to discuss the situation with leaders of different African States. The Foreign Secretary also spoke to Ethiopian Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen on 5 November, where she made clear there is no military solution and that negotiations are needed to avoid bloodshed and deliver lasting peace.

On 5 November the UNSC issued a Press Statement, following the introduction of the nationwide State of Emergency by Prime Minister Abiy on 2 November, expressing deep concern about the conflict and its impact on the humanitarian situation and wider region. The UNSC most recently met on 8 November, where the UK called for all parties to stop fighting and start talking, and to implement the recommendations contained in the joint report of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.