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UN Envoy Warns Against Return of War in Ethiopia

UNHCR Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mohammed Abdi Affey speaks with Asharq Al-Awsat in the interview (Saad al-Anzi)
UNHCR Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mohammed Abdi Affey speaks with Asharq Al-Awsat in the interview (Saad al-Anzi)
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UN Envoy Warns Against Return of War in Ethiopia

UNHCR Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mohammed Abdi Affey speaks with Asharq Al-Awsat in the interview (Saad al-Anzi)
UNHCR Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mohammed Abdi Affey speaks with Asharq Al-Awsat in the interview (Saad al-Anzi)

UNHCR Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa Mohammed Abdi Affey has warned the Ethiopian parties against a return to fighting between the government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), saying any such move could cause a humanitarian catastrophe.

Affey announced there were 103 million displaced persons and refugees, including 25 million in Africa, stressing the urgent need for $40 million in aid to help the displaced and Somali refugees.

During an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, the UN official stressed the need to end the war, warning that it would create the worst humanitarian disaster in the region.

Affey hoped international partners would follow the lead of Saudi Arabia in the generous partnership to save the tragic humanitarian situation, describing the Kingdom as the “best partner in humanitarian aid globally.”

He called on the international community to play an influential role in ending the war in Ukraine and the countries of the Horn of Africa.

Saudi Arabia is at the forefront of humanitarian work:

Affey, who is visiting Riyadh, discussed supporting and assisting displaced persons and refugees with officials of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Assistant State Minister for African Affairs Sami al-Saleh, the Secretary-General of the Organization of the Islamic Cooperation, and the President of the Islamic Development Bank in Jeddah.

The world currently has 103 million displaced persons and refugees, 25 million in Africa, said the UN official.

He pointed out that Sudan hosts more than one million refugees from South Sudan, Ethiopia, Chad, Somalia, Central Africa, and Eritrea.

He extended his gratitude to Saudi Arabia for its influential partnership and substantial efforts, noting the support of Saudi institutions that provide a suitable environment for the refugees.

Somali and Ukrainian tragedy:

Affey noted that he discussed with Saudi officials the possible solutions to the current situation in the Horn of Africa as the biggest tragic humanitarian challenge facing the region, especially in Somalia.

The situation in Somalia creates pressure on the international organization, with more than 200,000 refugees and displaced persons fleeing to neighboring countries during the past three years.

He asserted that the situation calls for concerted international efforts and humanitarian initiatives, such as Saudi Arabia’s, to alleviate human suffering in the region and Somalia.

Affey said the “tragic situation” that resulted from the Russian-Ukrainian war increased the international agency's urgent need for more financial support.

He called on international partners to provide support to face global humanitarian challenges during the next few months and relieve the enormous pressure that the international organization is suffering from due to the tragic humanitarian conditions and the ongoing refugee wave in many parts of the world, including the Horn of Africa.

The consequences of the ongoing conflict in the Horn of Africa:

The UN official stressed that one of the challenges currently facing the international agency included the raging conflict in the Horn of Africa.

He noted that 65,000 refugees arrived from Ethiopia in Sudan, and more than two million displaced persons and refugees fled South Sudan to neighboring countries, announcing that UNHCR is working on several projects and agreements with the governments of Sudan and South Sudan.

The UN official stressed the need to implement the relevant clause in the Juba Peace Agreement, signed by the Sudanese parties.

The agency is currently working with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the Sudanese government to find long-term solutions, including sustainable development projects that alleviate the tragic humanitarian conditions of the refugees inside and outside Sudan and South Sudan.

The African Union plays a significant role in sponsoring the Juba Peace Agreement, said Affey, adding that the UNHCR is delighted to achieve positive results to correct the humanitarian situation in the region.

He lauded the efforts of the Ethiopian parties to stop the war and prioritize dialogue to confront the humanitarian conditions of refugees and displaced persons in Ethiopia and neighboring countries.

Somalia needs $40 billion to deal with the tragic situation amid a lack of support and aid provided to the government.

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Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
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Syrian Minister of Economy: Sanctions Relief Tied to Reforms

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 
Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar standing in line outside Al-Razi Bakery in Aleppo Province, listening to citizens’ concerns (Facebook page). 

Syrian Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal Al-Shaar stated that while the serious lifting of US sanctions on Syria could gradually yield positive results for the country’s economy, expectations must remain realistic, as rebuilding trust in the Syrian economy is essential.

In an exclusive interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Shaar described the removal of sanctions as a necessary first step toward eliminating the obstacles that have long hindered Syria’s economic recovery. Although the immediate impact will likely be limited, he noted that in the medium term, improvements in trade activity and the resumption of some banking transactions could help create a more favorable environment for investment and production.

The breakthrough came after Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman successfully facilitated a thaw in relations between Washington and Damascus, ultimately convincing the US president to lift sanctions on Syria. During his historic visit to Saudi Arabia last Wednesday, President Donald Trump announced he would order the removal of all sanctions on Syria to “give it a chance to thrive”—a move seen as a major opportunity for the country to begin a new chapter.

Al-Shaar cautioned, however, that Syrians should not expect an immediate improvement in living standards. “We need to manage the post-sanctions phase with an open and pragmatic economic mindset,” he said, stressing that real progress will only come if sanctions relief is accompanied by meaningful economic reforms, increased transparency, and support for the business climate.

He added that Syrians will begin to feel the difference when the cost of living declines and job opportunities grow—an outcome that requires time, planning, and stability.

According to Al-Shaar, the first tangible benefits of lifting sanctions are likely to be seen in the banking and trade sectors, through facilitated financial transfers, improved access to essential goods, and lower transportation and import costs. “We may also see initial interest from investors who were previously deterred by legal restrictions,” he said. “But it’s important to emphasize that political openness alone isn’t enough—there must also be genuine economic openness from within.”

He also underscored the importance of regional support, saying that any positive role played by neighboring countries in encouraging the US to lift sanctions and normalize ties with Damascus “must be met with appreciation and cooperation.” Al-Shaar emphasized that robust intra-Arab economic relations should form a cornerstone of any reconstruction phase. “We need an economic approach that is open to the Arab world, and we could see strategic partnerships that reignite the national economy—especially through the financing of major infrastructure and development projects.”

When asked whether he expects a surge in Arab and foreign investment following the lifting of sanctions, Al-Shaar responded: “Yes, there is growing interest in investing in Syria, and several companies have already entered the market. But investors first and foremost seek legal certainty and political guarantees.” He explained that investment is not driven solely by the removal of sanctions, but by the presence of an encouraging institutional environment. “If we can enhance transparency, streamline procedures, and ensure stability, we will gradually see greater capital inflows—especially in the service, industrial, and agricultural sectors.”

As for which countries may play a significant role in Syria’s reconstruction, Al-Shaar said: “Countries with long-term interests in regional stability will be at the forefront of the rebuilding process. But we must first rebuild our internal foundations and develop an economic model capable of attracting partners under balanced conditions—ones that protect economic sovereignty and promote inclusive development.”

The minister concluded by stressing that lifting sanctions, while significant, is not the end of the crisis. “Rather, it may mark the beginning of a new phase—one filled with challenges,” he said. “The greatest challenge isn’t securing funding, but managing resources wisely, upholding the principles of productivity, justice, and transparency. We need a proactive—not reactive—economy. We must restore the value of work and implement policies that put people at the center of development. Only then can we say we are beginning to emerge from the bottleneck.”

Last Wednesday, Riyadh hosted a landmark meeting between the Crown Prince, Trump, and Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa—marking the first meeting between a Syrian and a US president since Hafez Al-Assad met Bill Clinton in Geneva in 2000.

Most US sanctions on Syria were imposed after the outbreak of the country’s conflict in 2011. These targeted deposed President Bashar Al-Assad, members of his family, and various political and economic figures. In 2020, additional sanctions came into effect under the Caesar Act, targeting Assad’s inner circle and imposing severe penalties on any entity or company dealing with the Syrian regime. The Act also sanctioned Syria’s construction, oil, and gas sectors and prohibited US funding for reconstruction—while exempting humanitarian organizations operating in the country.