The UN Secretary-General on Wednesday said he was "delighted" to learn that "a demonstrable effort to make peace" in Ethiopia is finally underway, according to information relayed to him by the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa. 

Guterres made the remarks in a statement after holding a telephone conversation with the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, H.E Mr. Olusegun Obasanjo, to exchange views on the conflict in Ethiopia.

"H.E Mr. Obasanjo briefed me about the efforts being made by the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) to move towards a resolution of the violent conflict and expressed optimism that there is now a real opportunity for political and diplomatic resolution of the conflict," the UN chief's statement read in part.

"I am delighted that after over a year of armed conflict which has affected millions of people across Ethiopia and the rest of the region, there is now a demonstrable effort to make peace."

Guterres however acknowledged that military operations in parts of Ethiopia were still posing challenges to the peace process.

He called on the warring sides to work towards cessation of hostilities as a critical step in the right direction for peace-making.

"The United Nations stands ready to support an all-inclusive and nationally owned dialogue, peace, security, and reconciliation process in Ethiopia," Guterres said.

Ethiopian federal government forces and the TPLF have been fighting each other in Tigray since November 2020.