The United States and other Western powers on Wednesday urged the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan rebels to start African Union-led peace talks, warning of humanitarian risks if renewed conflict continues.

In a joint statement, the United States, Britain, Australia, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands said they were “deeply concerned” by the destruction of the five-month truce in late August.

“We call on the parties to recognize that there is no military solution to the conflict, and we call on the government of Ethiopia and the regional authorities of Tigray to engage in African Union-led talks aimed at helping Ethiopia do so.” to help achieve a lasting peace,” the statement said.

Western nations have warned of encroachments from all sides, including Ethiopia, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and Eritrea.

“The resumption of fighting in northern Ethiopia carries a high risk of further human rights abuses and abuses,” it said, adding that “any lasting solution must include accountability for human rights abuses and abuses.”

After much hesitation, the rebels agreed to accept mediation from the African Union, based in Addis Ababa.

But after the bloc called talks for last weekend in South Africa, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who was set to play a key role in the negotiations, said he could not attend.

Western nations demanded a withdrawal of troops from Eritrea, one of the most closed and authoritarian countries in the world.

“All foreign actors should stop actions that fuel this conflict.”