Germany rules out military solution to Ethiopian conflict

BERLIN

Germany on Wednesday expressed "deep concern" over the escalating armed conflict in Ethiopia, saying there could be no military solution to the political crisis in the Horn of Africa country.

"We are deeply concerned about developments in Ethiopia, the continued military escalation in northern Ethiopia, and beyond," Foreign Ministry deputy spokesman Christofer Burger said at a news conference in Berlin.

"The armed conflict has been going on for over a year, and even after the most recent developments, it is clear that there can be no military solution there. All parties involved must immediately stop the fighting and seek a political solution to the conflict," he added.

According to Burger, his country is currently involved in "intense coordination" with EU partners, aiming to find a political solution to the Ethiopian conflict.

He also voiced support for a UN investigation looking into possible human rights violations in the country.

Burger's remarks came a day after Ethiopia declared a nationwide state of emergency.

The decision followed an extraordinary meeting of the Council of Ministers amid escalating clashes between the government forces and the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and Oromo Liberation Army-Shene (OLA-Shene).

Over the last couple of weeks, the TPLF fighters made gains, capturing new territories and strategic towns deep in the Amhara and Afar regions.

Eyewitnesses who came to safe areas from the war zones told Anadolu Agency of the intense fighting.

On June 29, the Ethiopian government declared a unilateral cease-fire and pulled out its troops from Tigray, after which the rebel forces expanded into neighboring Amhara and Afar.

Millions have been internally displaced due to the conflict, according to the UN, which has warned of a humanitarian disaster.