World Tour - Hope for peace in Ethiopia

MARY REICHARD, HOST: Coming up next on The World and Everything in It: World Tour with our reporter in Africa, Onize Ohikere.

ONIZE OHIKERE, REPORTER: Ceasefire in Tigray—We start today in Ethiopia.

Tigrayan rebels agreed to a “cessation of hostilities” on Friday, raising the possibility the 17-month conflict in northern Ethiopia could soon come to an end.

The rebel announcement came a day after the government declared an indefinite humanitarian truce in Tigray. The rebels said they were committed to ending the fighting and urged the government to send emergency aid immediately.

In Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, people cheered the decision.

AUDIO: [Man speaking Amharic]

This man said it would be good to end the fighting because people in Tigray are starving.

Since war broke out in November 2020, thousands have died, and many more have fled their homes. According to the United Nations, nearly half of Tigray’s residents face a severe lack of food.

Solomon Islands and China defend security pact—Next we go to Solomon Islands.

Leaders from the island nation and China are defending a proposed security pact unveiled last week.

AUDIO: [Man speaking Mandarin]

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesman called the pact “beyond reproach” and in line with international law. He also urged Western nations to respect a decision made by two sovereign countries.

In a speech to his country’s parliament, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare also blasted criticism of the agreement.

AUDIO: We do not belong to any external alliances, Mr. Speaker. Nor do we wish to pick any side. The only side we will pick is our national security interest.

The agreement would allow China to send armed forces “to assist in maintaining social order.” Sogavare noted anti-government protests last year threatened seven new sports stadiums China is building ahead of the 2023 Pacific Games. The unrest also left severe damage to the Chinatown district in the Solomon Islands’ capital.

But critics accuse Sogavare of using Chinese security forces to prop up his government. And Australia, New Zealand, and the United States have raised concerns over Chinese military involvement in the region.

Sogavare denies claims China eventually intends to build a military base in the Solomon Islands.

Royal family holds memorial service—And finally, we end today in Europe.

AUDIO: [Sound of singing]

Britain’s royal family held a memorial service for Prince Phillip on Tuesday. Queen Elizabeth’s husband of 73 years died nearly a year ago. He was 99.

Pandemic restrictions at the time prevented the family from holding the service the prince planned for himself before his death. But nearly 2,000 guests packed London’s Westminster Abbey on Tuesday.

That’s this week’s World Tour. Reporting for WORLD, I’m Onize Ohikere in Abuja, Nigeria.

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