AU envoy calls for restraint in Ethiopia

The African Union's special envoy for the Horn of Africa said he remains hopeful that dialogue can end Ethiopia's yearlong war, warning that such talks cannot be delivered if there is no cease-fire.

Olusegun Obasanjo, the AU's special envoy, is leading an international effort to end the conflict in Ethiopia, which has cost thousands of lives and displaced 2 million people, as fears of a rebel march to the capital Addis Ababa prompted a flurry of diplomatic activity.

Obasanjo, who left Ethiopia on Thursday after meetings with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the leadership of the rebel group Tigray People's Liberation Front, said he was optimistic that a peaceful resolution of the conflict can be secured.

"The interlocutors I have engaged on all sides have stated their wish for peace, security, and stability in Ethiopia. The main point of difference between the actors is in the means by which they seek to achieve this essential objective," said Obasanjo in a statement on Sunday.

"War represents a failure of politics. Thus, dialogue remains the only reliable and sustainable avenue to peace. There is no military solution to the conflict and battlefield victory cannot guarantee political stability in Ethiopia."

He also appealed to the leadership of all sides to halt their military offensives. This will allow an opportunity for dialogue to continue to progress. He said such talks cannot deliver in an environment of escalated military hostilities.

Obasanjo further called on all people of goodwill, leaders in Africa and the international community to continue to support mediation efforts and to refrain from actions or rhetoric that will, wittingly or unwittingly, worsen the conflict.

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, who also participated in regional mediation efforts, landed in Ethiopia for a surprise one-day visit on Sunday. This was Kenyatta's second visit to the neighboring country in a month.

During the visit to Addis Ababa, Kenyatta met senior leaders in the Ethiopian government including Ahmed and President Sahle-Work Zewde, as well as political party representatives seen as key influence pushers in Ethiopia.

Kenyatta had asked the warring parties earlier this month to compromise and negotiate for a peaceful solution, which has yet come to pass. Sunday's trip is being seen as a further briefing session for Kenyatta.

Ethiopia laid out conditions for possible talks with the rebels last week, including a halt to attacks, a TPLF withdrawal from the neighboring areas of Amhara and Afar, and recognition of the government's legitimacy. The TPLF in turn is demanding that aid be let into Tigray, the region where the conflict erupted last year.