This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-63384278

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Ethiopia civil war: Warring sides begin peace talks Ethiopia civil war: Warring sides begin peace talks
(about 3 hours later)
The war has led to millions of people in Ethiopia needing aidThe war has led to millions of people in Ethiopia needing aid
The two sides in Ethiopia's civil war have begun formal peace talks for the first time since the conflict started nearly two years ago.The two sides in Ethiopia's civil war have begun formal peace talks for the first time since the conflict started nearly two years ago.
The African Union-brokered talks are being held in South Africa, where a spokesperson for the president confirmed the news.The African Union-brokered talks are being held in South Africa, where a spokesperson for the president confirmed the news.
The fighting in and around Ethiopia's northern Tigray region is thought to have left tens of thousands dead.The fighting in and around Ethiopia's northern Tigray region is thought to have left tens of thousands dead.
It has also created a humanitarian emergency in its aftermath.It has also created a humanitarian emergency in its aftermath.
Soldiers from both sides - the federal government and Tigrayan forces - have also been accused of war crimes and carrying out atrocities.Soldiers from both sides - the federal government and Tigrayan forces - have also been accused of war crimes and carrying out atrocities.
There are few details of what exactly happening in the negotiations or what is on the agenda.There are few details of what exactly happening in the negotiations or what is on the agenda.
The talks have been "convened to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the devastating conflict in the Tigray region" and will end on Sunday, Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters.The talks have been "convened to find a peaceful and sustainable solution to the devastating conflict in the Tigray region" and will end on Sunday, Vincent Magwenya, spokesman for President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters.
The AU, along with the UN and US, has been urging the Ethiopian federal government to sit down with its Tigrayan opponents for months. Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Uhuru Kenyatta, who recently stepped down as Kenya's president, are facilitating the talks along with South Africa's former Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
The AU, the UN and the US have been urging the Ethiopian federal government to sit down with its Tigrayan opponents for months.
There were fears that a recent resurgence of heavy warfare could aggravate the already catastrophic situation for civilians.There were fears that a recent resurgence of heavy warfare could aggravate the already catastrophic situation for civilians.
A virtual blockade of Tigray has left millions in need of food aid as well as increases in deaths from malnutrition.A virtual blockade of Tigray has left millions in need of food aid as well as increases in deaths from malnutrition.
The Ethiopian government has not granted journalists access to Tigray since June 2021. With most communications cut off in the region, it has been hard to report on the extent of the conflict and humanitarian crisis.The Ethiopian government has not granted journalists access to Tigray since June 2021. With most communications cut off in the region, it has been hard to report on the extent of the conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Fighting started in November 2020 when federal Ethiopian forces tried to wrest control of the region from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The blockade began when the TPLF mounted a counter-offensive and recaptured much of Tigray last year.Fighting started in November 2020 when federal Ethiopian forces tried to wrest control of the region from the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). The blockade began when the TPLF mounted a counter-offensive and recaptured much of Tigray last year.
A recent upsurge in fighting that ended a five-month humanitarian truce has seen federal government troops capture key towns in Tigray.A recent upsurge in fighting that ended a five-month humanitarian truce has seen federal government troops capture key towns in Tigray.
More on Ethiopia's civil war:More on Ethiopia's civil war:
Nasa shows how a war zone faded from spaceNasa shows how a war zone faded from space
'Hyenas are scavenging on the victims of war''Hyenas are scavenging on the victims of war'
Inside the Tigray capital, MekelleInside the Tigray capital, Mekelle
Hunted down for avoiding Eritrea military call-upHunted down for avoiding Eritrea military call-up
My patients are doomed to die in Tigray blockadeMy patients are doomed to die in Tigray blockade
A simple guide to the Tigray conflictA simple guide to the Tigray conflict
Satellite imagery shows Tigray disappearingSatellite imagery shows Tigray disappearing
Satellite imagery shows Tigray disappearingSatellite imagery shows Tigray disappearing