The Chief of Defence Forces, General Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has called for an immediate end to renewed fighting in northern Ethiopia, expressing support for the Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) amid escalating hostilities.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 30, General Muhoozi said the Uganda People’s Defence Forces (UPDF) stood with the Ethiopian military and urged all sides to respect the peace agreement that ended the previous Tigray conflict.
“UPDF expresses its support for our brothers in the Ethiopian National Defense Force in this latest eruption of fighting in northern Ethiopia,” Muhoozi said.
The Ugandan military chief called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urged the parties involved to adhere to the Pretoria Peace Agreement, which was signed in November 2022 after two years of devastating conflict between Ethiopian federal forces and Tigrayan forces.
“We call for an immediate cessation of the escalation and hostilities. We call for the respect and adherence to the Pretoria Peace Agreement,” he added.
The statement comes amid renewed fighting across Tigray and neighbouring parts of Afar and Amhara regions. Tigrayan forces launched a major offensive on September 23, with clashes involving Ethiopian federal troops and allied forces reported on several fronts.
The latest violence has raised fears that the peace deal could collapse completely and trigger another prolonged conflict in the region.
The renewed fighting has already involved the seizure of several airports and clashes beyond Tigray, while humanitarian agencies have reported growing numbers of wounded and displaced civilians.
Government forces and their allies have also reported military gains, including the capture of the strategic town of Alamata, although the conflict parties have offered differing accounts of developments on the ground.
Muhoozi further stressed the importance of preserving Ethiopia’s territorial integrity as tensions continue to rise.
“Ethiopia's unity and sovereignty must be respected and protected by all,” he said.
His remarks add Uganda’s voice to growing regional and international calls for restraint and renewed dialogue as the Horn of Africa faces concerns over a wider escalation.
The 2022 Pretoria agreement brought an end to the earlier Tigray war, which resulted in mass deaths and displacement.
The resurgence of fighting has consequently renewed concern over the humanitarian and regional consequences of another major conflict in northern Ethiopia.I can also provide .