The African Union (AU) has called on the Ethiopian government and a militia in the Amhara region to engage in dialogue in order to resolve a renewed dispute that has resulted in numerous casualties. AU Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed deep concern over the ongoing situation in Ethiopia, emphasizing the AU’s commitment to upholding the country’s constitutional order, territorial integrity, unity, and national sovereignty for the sake of stability in both Ethiopia and the wider region.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Faki urged the conflicting parties to immediately cease hostilities and ensure the safety of civilians. He further called for them to embrace dialogue as a means of reaching a peaceful resolution. The AU also expressed its willingness to support any inter-Ethiopian initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability within the country.

These calls for dialogue come in the wake of an airstrike in the Amhara region’s Finote Selam, which claimed the lives of at least 26 people on Sunday. The militia in Amhara has taken control of several towns in the region, causing concerns of a potential escalation into a larger conflict in northern Ethiopia.

Although the Ethiopian government recently declared that it had regained control of many Amhara towns that were previously under the militia’s control, this victory proved to be short-lived. Tensions between the militia and the federal government escalated following a proposal by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s administration to disarm armed groups in the Amhara region.

By urging dialogue and emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution, the AU aims to mitigate the growing conflict, prevent further loss of life, and restore stability to Ethiopia.