LOC02:24
23:24 GMT
WASHINGTON, March 20 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, Monday, that "there must be acknowledgment of the atrocities committed by all parties as well as accountability together with reconciliation," referring to his recent visit to Ethiopia.
In a press conference, Blinken said, "as I discussed with both sides during my visit, to build a durable peace, there must be acknowledgment of the atrocities committed by all parties as well as accountability together with reconciliation."
"Many of these actions were not random or a mere byproduct of war.
They were calculated and deliberate," he added.
"After the department's careful review of the law and the facts, I've determined that members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, Eritrean Defense Forces, Tigray People's Liberation Front Forces and Amhara forces committed war crimes during the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
Members of the Ethiopian National Defense Forces, the Eritrean Defense Forces and Amhara forces also committed crimes against humanity.
We welcome the commitment that the parties to the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement have made to acknowledge the atrocities committed and their devastating consequences," he said.
"We urge the government of Ethiopia and the government of Eritrea as well as the TPLF to hold those responsible for these atrocities accountable.
These steps, acknowledgement, accountability, reconciliation, are key to breaking the cycle of ethnic and political violence that has gripped Ethiopia and prevented it from reaching its unlimited potential for so long.
The United States will partner with Ethiopia as it implements a credible transitional justice process for the benefit of all victims and affected communities," Blinken noted.
"We'll stand with Ethiopia as it honestly faces the abuses in its past, provides accountability for the harms committed against its citizens and moves towards a future of lasting peace," Blinken added. (end)
rsr.mb