Parliamentary meeting about Tigray: letter today from Vicky Ford, UK Africa Minister, in which she says the UK is “now working hard with partners on the ground to establish more regular convoys and moves towards dialogue between the parties.”
Vicky Ford MP
Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean
King Charles Street
London
SW1A 2AH
Tel: 0207 008 5000
Email: fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
The Lord Alton of Liverpool
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA
26 April 2022
Dear David,
Thank you for your email of 23 March to Lord Goldsmith about the current situation in Tigray. I am replying as the Minister for Africa.
As I am sure you will know, shortly after you wrote both the main parties to the conflict in the north of Ethiopia announced a cessation of hostilities. Further to this, a small convoy of trucks – twenty carry aid and one fuel – entered Tigray on 1 April. This was the first humanitarian delivery by land since mid-December, which I welcomed in my statement on the same day – https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-for-africa-statement-on-first-aid-delivery-to-tigray-since-mid-december.
We are now working hard with partners on the ground to establish more regular convoys and moves towards dialogue between the parties.
I have regularly raised our concerns over the human rights situation in Ethiopia and the manner in which this conflict has been prosecuted, with the Government of Ethiopia, as has the British Ambassador to Ethiopia with the TPLF leadership and other regional leaders in Ethiopia. I have also consistently made clear our concerns in public statements and in the House.
I believe you know very well our position on genocide.
I can assure you that we will remain engaged on the Horn of Africa, on efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict in the north of Ethiopia and for accountability for those that have committed heinous acts, but also on the impact of emerging drought in the region.
Yours sincerely,
Vicky Ford MP
Minister for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean
