July 29, 2021 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today spoke with Demeke Mekonnen, Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Minister Garneau shared Canada’s profound concerns regarding the dire humanitarian crisis in Tigray and urged his counterpart to facilitate the immediate and unimpeded access for all humanitarian assistance, workers, equipment, fuel and cash before the humanitarian situation gets worse.

Minister Garneau called for the Tigray People's Liberation Front and government forces to cease military action in and around Tigray. He emphasized that it is absolutely critical to bring an immediate end to targeted attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure, to protect the most vulnerable and to ensure that human rights are respected. He also repeated his call for Eritrean forces to withdraw immediately. Minister Garneau stressed that inclusive political dialogue offers the only path to sustainable peace and prosperity. 

Minister Garneau urged the Government of Ethiopia to engage in dialogue with all national parties and regional partners to achieve a political solution to the crisis.