Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the escalating military conflict in Ethiopia, and (2) the introduction of a state of emergency in that country.

The UK is deeply concerned about the escalating military conflict in Ethiopia. The Minister for Africa spoke at a Westminster Hall Debate on 3 November about how the conflict has created a humanitarian catastrophe and seen horrific human rights abuses committed against civilians. She called for all parties to immediately agree to stop fighting and open dialogue. She said that the advance of Tigrayan forces must stop and they should not enter Addis Ababa.

On 9 November the FCDO updated it's Travel Advice to British nationals, advising them against all travel to Ethiopia, with the exception of Addis Ababa Bole International Airport, where the advice is against all but essential travel. British nationals have been advised to leave Ethiopia while commercial routes are available.

Following the declaration of a State of Emergency in Ethiopia on 2 November, the Minister for Africa issued a tweet and called again on all parties to urgently cease fighting and start talks. It is important that the State of Emergency does not undermine basic human rights and international humanitarian law, for which the Government of Ethiopia is responsible.