Ethiopia.. The government accuses the Tigray Liberation Front of refusing the ceasefire and destroying a bridge to prevent aid from reaching

The Ethiopian government accused the Tigrayan Liberation Front of unilaterally refusing the ceasefire announced by Addis Ababa last Monday, and the government accused the Tigrayan Liberation Front of destroying a bridge to limit aid access to the region, amid condemnation from the United Nations.

And Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen called on the international community to stand with Ethiopia to prevent the deterioration of the security situation in the Tigray region.

Mekonnen added, in a press conference, that a ceasefire in the region would allow the entry of aid and avoid what he described as real disasters.

He called on the international community to stop issuing prejudices that undermine the government's efforts to bring peace, as he put it.

The Minister indicated that his country supports the work of the African Commission on Human Rights, which has launched its investigations at the request of Addis Ababa.

The forces of the Tigray Liberation Front confirmed that their fighting will "intensify" until all "enemies" leave the area, hinting that the battles are continuing despite the ceasefire announced by the Ethiopian government.

Residents waiting to receive aid (Reuters)

aid

A statement issued by the spokesperson for the state of emergency in Tigray province said that the Tigray Liberation Front intentionally destroyed the "Tekise Bridge" to limit aid access to the region.

Relief organizations say that the Tekezi bridge had an important role in delivering humanitarian aid to the region, as it was one of the main supply routes to it, pointing out that the destruction of the bridge will negatively affect relief efforts, according to those organizations.

"We are deeply concerned about the repercussions of this (the bridge destruction) on humanitarian access to areas facing critical and life-threatening needs," said Gemma Connell, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs for Southern and East Africa.

For his part, EU Commissioner for Security and Foreign Policy Josep Borrell said that the ceasefire in Tigray does not mean cutting off electricity in the region or destroying vital infrastructure.

Borrell added in a tweet that a credible ceasefire in Tigray means doing everything possible to get aid to millions of children, women and men who need it most.

The European official stressed that saving lives in Tigray should be a priority for all.