Lord Collins of Highbury, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, has provided the following answer to your written parliamentary question (HL5872):
Questions by Lord Alton of Liverpool:
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the risk of conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and the implications for Tigray; and what diplomatic steps they are taking to prevent further escalation. (HL5872)
Tabled on: 18 March 2025
This question was grouped with the following question(s) for answer:
- To ask His Majesty’s Government whether they are taking steps to ensure the Tigray peace process is not undermined by infighting between the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front; and whether they are monitoring the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and threats to political stability. (HL5874)
Tabled on: 18 March 2025 - To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of reports of illegal gold mining and human trafficking in Tigray, and of the impact of divisions between the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on law and order. (HL5875)
Tabled on: 18 March 2025 - To ask His Majesty’s Government, following concerns raised at the UN Human Rights Council’s 58th regular session about the continued presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, what steps they are taking to ensure that Eritrean and other non-Ethiopian federal forces honour the terms of the 2022 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and fully withdraw. (HL5876)
Tabled on: 18 March 2025
Answer:
Lord Collins of Highbury:
The UK is working with partners to prevent a return to conflict in the region by supporting the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. On 13 March, the UK issued a joint statement with the EU and 23 countries emphasising our support for the agreement and urging all parties to refrain from violence and engage in urgent dialogue. We regularly engage with all parties and the African Union guarantors, to reiterate the importance of implementation and encourage political dialogue to overcome obstacles on the return of internally displaced persons and other outstanding issues.
The UK provides support for the demobilisation, disarmament, and reintegration process, funds international and Ethiopian human rights monitoring and supports investigatory capacity building across the country. The UK is aware of reports of illicit trade contributing to tensions in the region.
Date and time of answer: 01 Apr 2025 at 17:43.
