GENEVA:The United Nations on Tuesday pleaded with Ethiopia to allow aid for long-standing refugee camps in the northern Tigray region, where nearly 100,000 people from neighbouring Eritrea are thought to have run out of food.
The appeal came as Tigray's dissident leaders claimed fresh fighting was taking place elsewhere in the region, potentially undercutting Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's claim to have ended the conflict.
It also came as some Tigray residents reported that communications had been partially restored after a lengthy blackout.
Abiy, winner of last year's Nobel Peace Prize, announced military operations in Tigray on November 4, a move he said was a response to attacks by the regional ruling party, the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), against federal military camps.
After more than three weeks of fighting that left thousands dead and prompted tens of thousands to flee to neighbouring Sudan, Abiy declared victory on Saturday night -- though the TPLF vowed to fight on.
Since the conflict started, the UN refugee agency UNHCR has had no humanitarian access to four camps in Tigray which have been in place for more than a decade, sheltering some 96,000 Eritrean refugees.
Addressing reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, UNHCR spokesman Babar Baloch said the Eritrean refugees were in "desperate need" of help.
"Concerns are growing by the hour," Baloch said.
Food stocks on hand for the refugees, many of whom fled Eritrea's authoritarian government, were not expected to last beyond the start of this week.
"The camps will have now run out of food supplies, making hunger and malnutrition a real danger -- a warning we have been issuing since the conflict began," Baloch said.
"UNHCR appeals to the government of Ethiopia to continue to fulfil its responsibility in hosting and protecting Eritrean refugees and allow humanitarians to access people who are now desperately in need."
- Refugee safety fears -
Ethiopia's Agency for Refugee and Returnee Affairs believes there is a "buffer" of food supplies that would last through the week, deputy director-general Eyob Awoke told AFP on Tuesday.
But the agency has not had contact with the camps because of the communications outage and has yet to visit them, Eyob said.
UNHCR's Baloch also voiced alarm at unconfirmed reports of attacks, abductions and forced recruitment at the camp.
These abuses were allegedly carried out by Eritrean soldiers fighting alongside Ethiopian federal troops. Ethiopia has denied enlisting Eritrean military support in the conflict.
Eyob said his agency did not have "detailed information" about the reported attacks.
Meanwhile in Sudan, nearly 46,000 refugees fleeing the Ethiopian conflict have now been registered, Baloch said, including more than 2,500 on Friday.
He said newly arrived refugees had reported seeing more checkpoints on roads from Ethiopia to Sudan, forcing them to take other routes.
- Some communications return -
Abiy has resisted calls for mediation in the conflict, saying TPLF leaders need to be disarmed and apprehended.
Tigrayan head Debretsion Gebremichael told AFP on Monday that his forces would continue to fight "as long as these invaders are on our land".
The regional capital, Mekele, has been under federal control since Saturday evening.
Debretsion said that fighting persisted Tuesday in at least three locations, two of which were "around Mekele" and another near the town of Wukro, 50 kilometres (31 miles) north.
The communications blackout has made it impossible to verify claims from both sides on how the fighting is going.
But on Tuesday AFP was able to contact residents of three cities in western Tigray, indicating communications had been at least partially restored.
"Yes, the phone network and mobile data is back since Sunday afternoon at 5pm, but only for the towns from Gondar to Humera," said Humera resident Tewodros Gebreselassie.
"Some families who where separated during the war are connected again. It's solving many problems. However, it's still a problem for the areas that don't have connection. And we are still missing electricity."
A spokesman for Ethio Telecom, Ethiopia's monopoly telecoms provider, said he could not provide information on service in Tigray.
A spokeswoman for Abiy's office did not respond to a request for comment.
Also on Tuesday, Abiy's government announced that a senior member of the TPLF and former speaker of the upper house of parliament "surrendered to federal forces".
Keria Ibrahim resigned from her position in June after lawmakers approved postponing national elections because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The TPLF maintained the move was unjustified and that Abiy would become an illegitimate ruler, heightening tensions that eventually spilled over into armed conflict.
AFP RELAXNEWS
Wed Dec 02 2020
Some of the nearly 46,000 refugees driven into Sudan by the Ethiopian conflict. AFPRelaxpic
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.
NFOF will be operational in November 2024 with funding of RM1 bil
PM Anwar Ibrahim said NFOF will support venture capital fund managers to invest in startup companies with RM300 million set aside for 2025.
Minimum wage to increase to RM1,700 effective Feb 1, 2025
The Progressive Wage Policy would be fully enforced next year with an allocation of RM200 million, benefiting 50,000 workers.
Bursa Malaysia ends higher on Budget 2025 optimism
The benchmark index, which opened 1.85 points higher at 1,643.29, moved between 1,641.71 and 1,649.31 throughout the trading session.
Five important aspects relating to people’s lives in Budget 2025 - PM
The focus is on driving the MADANI Economy, speeding reforms, cutting red tape, raising wages, and tackling the cost of living.
Economic outlook: Govt plans to leverage, expand existing city transit system
The expansion aims to provide a more efficient and reliable public transportation network, reduce congestion, and improve accessibility.