Bronx, NY—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement:

"I am watching the outbreak of violence in the Tigray region of Ethiopia with grave concern, not only for the Ethiopian people, but for the stability of the entire region. I call for an immediate ceasefire and demonstrable steps by both the federal government and the regional government in Tigray to defuse this crisis. I also urge the Ethiopian government to restore telecommunications connections to the region, and to avoid taking any additional measures that could exacerbate the humanitarian situation there. Finally, I firmly disagree with the manner in which the Trump Administration has managed the United States’ relationship with Ethiopia, including by cutting tens of millions of dollars of foreign assistance to the country earlier this year. This foolhardy approach has put the United States at a severe disadvantage when it comes to managing this crisis. I hope the next administration will approach the Ethiopian people as key partners, rather than as mere pawns in a geopolitical competition."

# # #