US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday urged Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to end fighting, voicing concern as a military offensive pursued the Tigray region’ s dissident leaders .
Pompeo in a phone call with Abiy “ called for a complete end to the fighting and constructive dialogue to resolve the crisis , ” a State Department statement said .
The top US diplomat noted Abiy’ s declaration that major operations were finished but “ reiterated the United States ’ grave concern regarding ongoing hostilities and the risks the conflict pose , ” it said .
Pompeo called for the protection of civilians from harm and “ urged the government of Ethiopia to ensure respect for human rights of Tigrayans and all ethnic groups . ”
The phone call came after Abiy said that Tigray ’ s leaders had fled west of the regional capital after a weeks -long military operation that the Ethiopian leader — winner of last year ’ s Nobel Peace Prize — ordered in response to what he said were attacks on federal army camps.
Ethiopia is a major US ally but concerns have grown after the fighting left thousands dead and sent tens of thousands of refugees fleeing into Sudan .
AFP
