Thread by @althecat

Very interesting context here to @StateDeptSpox statement regarding need for “negotiated ceasefire”.

This could have been called for at end of June when the Govt. of Ethiopia announced a unilateral ceasefire, but it wasn’t, in the meantime incalculable damage has been done.

https://twitter.com/ProfMulugeta/status/1421099657531428865

Here are Reda’s tweets. In chronological order the softening of position started 2 days ago.

It’s amusing that these can be seen as conciliatory. And for Reda they genuinely can. Militarily the positioning of Eritrean forces appears to be playing an important role here.

The latest restatement of preconditions for negotiations (which are worth reading if only for their WTAF value) makes one wonder whether the U.S. back channel efforts here have really been successful yet. We shall soon see.

For those arriving late to this news.

The U.S. has finally taken constructive action towards a peaceful resolution of a security situation in Ethiopia and #HOA that was spiraling out of control.

https://twitter.com/althecat/status/1421112484908384256?s=21

I confess that I am deeply relieved. This is only a first step. But there is now at least an opening for a peaceful solution, but the pressure on TPLF needs to be maintained.

Similarly on the Ethiopian side, the wishes of those who have suffered for revenge need to dampened.

The willingness of TPLF hardliners including @reda_getachew and the soldiers in the field to withdraw from Amhara and Afar and enter into negotiations is where this will be tested over coming hours.

But absent this final hour reversal of the U.S.’s inexplicable silence about TPLF attacks on Ethiopia the chances of peace would have soon been completely dashed.

Again we shall see. For me hope springs eternal, and hope and peace are siblings.