State Department establishes Ethiopia task force as conflict rages

The creation of the Ethiopia Conflict Task Force suggests the division is rising more and more involved concerning the state of affairs within the nation.

The day prior, shortly after the Ethiopian authorities had introduced a state of emergency, the State Department raised its journey advisory for the nation to Level 4: Do Not Travel, warning that "further escalation is likely, and may cause supply chain shortages, communications blackouts and travel disruptions.""Incidents of civil unrest and ethnic violence may occur without warning," the advisory stated.The State Department spokesperson advised CNN on Friday that they "are monitoring commercial flight availability closely and encourage US citizens to have departure plans that do not involve the US government." They additionally urged US residents within the nation to register with the State Department "so we can reach them with updates as needed."US officers have expressed grave concern on the escalation of the yearlong conflict, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken calling Thursday for the federal government of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed "to halt its military campaign, including air strikes in population centers in Tigray and mobilization of ethnic militias," the Eritrean authorities to take away its troops from Ethiopia and "the forces of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) to immediately stop the current advance towards Addis Ababa."US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Jeffrey Feltman traveled to Ethiopia this week in an extra try and press the events to finish hostilities and are available to the negotiating desk.The State Department spokesperson famous that Feltman remained within the Ethiopian capital on Friday."As evidenced by his visit, the United States continues to engage the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front to secure a commitment to immediate ceasefire negotiations and lay the groundwork for a durable, peaceful solution," the spokesperson stated. "This is the message Special Envoy Feltman delivered in Addis.""Our diplomats, in Addis and across the world, continue to press for a deescalation of the current crisis," they stated.