The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to take urgent steps to de-escalate tensions amid growing concerns over the fragile security situation in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.
Speaking at a bi-weekly press briefing in Geneva, UN Human Rights spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said the High Commissioner was alarmed by the “precarious situation” and urged both governments to exercise restraint and recommit to dialogue.
The appeal comes as regional tensions resurface following months of uneasy calm after the 2022 Pretoria peace agreement that formally ended the two-year conflict between Ethiopian federal forces, allied Eritrean troops, and Tigrayan fighters. Although large-scale hostilities subsided under the agreement, sporadic violence, unresolved political grievances, and allegations of ongoing human rights abuses have continued to destabilise the region.
Türk stressed the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring that any disputes are addressed through peaceful means. The UN has consistently raised concerns about accountability for alleged violations committed during the conflict, which left hundreds of thousands dead and displaced millions.
The rights chief also underscored the need for full humanitarian access to affected communities. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that many parts of Tigray remain vulnerable, with food insecurity, damaged infrastructure, and limited medical services compounding the humanitarian crisis.
Diplomatic observers say renewed friction between Addis Ababa and Asmara risks undermining hard-won gains made under the peace process. Eritrean forces were central to the earlier conflict and faced international criticism over reported abuses. While Ethiopia has maintained that peace efforts are ongoing, analysts caution that unresolved tensions could reignite instability in the Horn of Africa.
The UN’s latest intervention signals mounting international concern that the region’s fragile recovery could unravel if both sides fail to prioritise restraint and constructive engagement.
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