By Enyichukwu Enemanna
The United States says it is concerned about conflicts in Amhara and Oromia regions of Ethiopia, appealing for political dialogue to resolve them.
In a telephone conversation with Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for protection of human rights in the region.
According to an independent monitoring group – Ethiopia Peace Observatory, there have been at least 26 separate clashes in the Amhara region between members of a paramilitary force and government troops in the last fortnight.
An operation to disband the regional force has been strongly opposed, leading to widespread clashes.
In Oromia, there have been further outbreaks of violence between the military and the rebel Oromo Liberation Army, a BBC report says.
Mr Blinken during the telephone conversation also discussed the possibility of resuming food aid to Ethiopia.
The US and the UN suspended it five months ago amid accusations of theft.
There have been reports of hundreds of people dying due to starvation in the northern Tigray region, the report says.
An ongoing internet shutdown in Ethiopia’s conflict areas has made it difficult to get real-time information.
