US Ambassador to Ethiopia Ervin Massinga arrived in Shire and was welcomed by Amanuel Assefa, Deputy President of the Tigray Interim Administration. Following his arrival, he engaged in discussions with various leaders from the Interim Regional Administration (IRA) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) regarding the current situation of internally displaced persons (IDPs), the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, and other pressing issues.

The Ambassador also met with TPLF Chairman Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, TPLF Office Head Fetlewerq Gebregziabher, and other officials from the Regional Interim Administration, as well as representatives of the displaced communities. As part of his visit, he toured the May Dmu and Fresweat IDP camps to assess the conditions of those displaced from western Tigray.

“The lasting solution is to return the displaced people to their homes immediately,” Ambassador Massinga stated. “I observed the plight of the displaced during my visit. The United States will continue to provide assistance, but this is not a sustainable solution.”

He further stated that many displaced individuals expressed their strong desire to return home, rebuild their lives, and resume work. The Ambassador also said that he has held discussions with the Tigray Interim Administration, the Tigray Army, and the TPLF on facilitating the return of IDPs and ensuring the full implementation of the Pretoria Agreement.

Additionally, the Deputy President of the Regional Interim Administration of Tigray, Amanuel Assefa, highlighted the urgency of addressing the IDP’s crisis. “The main focus of the discussion was on the issue of displaced persons. Returning the displaced to their homes is the main solution. However, they are lacking basic assistance until they return, and many IDPs are dying of hunger,” he said.