U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, and stressed the importance of implementing a ceasefire between the government and Tigrayan forces.
"The Secretary underscored the importance of immediately implementing the cessation of hostilities agreement, including withdrawal of all foreign forces and concurrent disarmament of the Tigrayan forces," State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a readout of the call.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's government and Tigrayan forces signed a ceasefire on NOv. 2 to end two years of fighting that have killed thousands, shattered infrastructure and uprooted millions from their homes.
Since then, the first convoys of food and medical aid have reached Mekele, the capital of the Tigrayan region.