On the last day of a听five-day听trip to Ethiopia, the听Deputy Secretary-General听said the听East African nation听is in 鈥渁 much better place鈥� to resolve the conflict that听erupted听15 months ago听in Tigray.听
鈥淭here is much more conversation and dialogue and talk around the national dialogue itself and the way to peace鈥�,听Amina Mohammed听told journalists听attending a press conference at the airport,听as she left the capital Addis Ababa.听
Stressing the听听for a cessation of hostilities and for a pathway to peace, she noted how 鈥渢he talks continue and there is certainly less hostility than there was a few months ago.鈥�
Last weekend, Ms. Mohammed represented the Secretary General at the opening ofthe听35th听session of the听听(AU), where she spoke with African leaders onpressing issues,听ranging听from听development听and听conflict,听to the听many听humanitarian crises听besetting the continent.
Following the meeting, she said听that听鈥渙pportunities to address Africa鈥檚 challenges are huge鈥�,and stressed听the importance of听aligning听the听听and the African听Union鈥檚 Agenda 2063.
Women and children
During her visit, the deputy chief听met people living in the regions of听Tigray, Amhara, Somali, and Afar, where she witnessed the tragedies of the conflict听first-hand,听but also听learned of the听efforts made by the Government and people in Ethiopia, to听end the fighting.听
She noted how important it was 鈥渢o hear from the leaders there, to hear from the people, and to hear really what their hopes are,听and how they will engage with this pathway to peace.鈥�
鈥淭here is never a winner in conflict鈥�,听Ms. Mohammed听said.听
In all her visits, she said, what became obvious,听was that 鈥渢he biggest losers of this conflict are the women and children.鈥�
鈥�The tragedy that has happened to women and children,听is one that I hope that the men of Ethiopia will lead the recovery鈥�, she said.
The UN deputy chief听called for the immediate end to sexual and gender-based violence, among other atrocities, and cited the need for comprehensive physical and mental health support.
She听also听urged the authorities to involve women听meaningfully听in听all听recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Time to forgive
On听Wednesday,听her听final day in the country, she visited Afar,听where she met with the President of the region and clan leaders, among others. She was joined by the President of Ethiopia, Sahle-Work Zewde.
Ms. Mohammed听was able to see first-hand鈥痶he devastating impact of the conflict on children when she visited a hospital in Semera听that treats听young victims who lost their limbs due to unexploded ordnance.听
She noted that the听resources听to听rebuild houses, schools鈥痑nd鈥痟ospitals听might exist,but鈥渋t takes a lifetime to rebuild the trust鈥� and 鈥渟ociety鈥檚 fabric鈥�, to make up for the losses which have been sustained.
鈥�It takes time to forgive. Certainly, we hope that one does not forget鈥�, she said.听
Journey of solidarity
Wrapping up her visit,听Ms. Mohammed听told journalists in the airport听that听the last five days had been听鈥渁 journey of听solidarity with the Ethiopian people.鈥�
鈥淵ou will find a way听[to peace]听and we will accompany the Ethiopian people to that peace鈥�,听the听Deputy Secretary-General听said.
鈥淲hen we find peace, we can begin the journey back to economic recovery, and the restoration of dignity and livelihoods鈥�,听she concluded.听
Drought in Somali
On听Monday,听the Deputy Secretary-General听visited Somali, one of the regions affected by a听prolonged drought.
Highlighting the negative impact of climate change,听she听pointed out that听climate action remains听a pivotal part of the听Sustainable Development Goals.She听also听commended the Prime Minister鈥檚 plan to build more dams and develop water projects.听
鈥淧erhaps the biggest call that we have is that that humanitarian assistance needs to get there yesterday, the urgency at which it needs to find, especially women and children that have been affected by this, is extremely important鈥�, she said.听
Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the 51吃瓜 in Ethiopia, Ms. Catherine听Sozi, who was part of the delegation, noted that, in 2021, the Organization was able to provide more than $18 million in aid to those most in need in Somali.听An additional $20 million听is about to听be allocated.
