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<p>We are extremely concerned by the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia and the
implications it has for the country as a whole. The UK is working to bring an end
to the violence. I have called on all parties to urgently agree a ceasefire and allow
humanitarian aid through. I spoke to Ethiopian Minister of Justice Gedion on 6 December
and pressed for an end to the fighting and for peace talks. I have continued to emphasise
the need for a ceasefire through recent calls with my African counterparts, including
from Kenya and the African Union (AU). We have spoken with a variety of international
partners about the situation in Ethiopia, and have urged them to support a ceasefire
and support the efforts of AU High Representative Obasanjo to bring an end to the
violence.</p><p><del class="ministerial">Where items require an export licence, HM
Government takes its strategic export responsibilities seriously and will assess all
export licences in accordance with the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. We will
not grant a licence authorising the supply of controlled items anywhere in the world,
if to do so would be inconsistent with the Criteria. We continue to monitor the situation
in Ethiopia closely, and we will take action to suspend, refuse or revoke licences
- in line with the Criteria - if circumstances require.</del></p>
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