Tigray rebels accused the African Union (AU) on Sunday of "bias" following the appointment by the pan-African organization of a mediator in the conflict that has been tearing northern Ethiopia apart for nearly a year.

"It would be naive to think that this mission could work," said on Twitter the spokesman for the rebels Getachew Reda, three days after the appointment of former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo as representative of the AU in the Horn of Africa with the mission to "promote peace, security, stability, and political dialogue".

"Resolving a crisis requires at least the recognition of the existence, if not the importance, of a problem," he wrote.

"We find it difficult to understand how one can expect a constructive role from an organization that has given full meaning to the word partiality," he concluded.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, for his part, has repeatedly rejected any proposal to hold talks with the group.

Addis Ababa has designated the TPLF a terrorist organization.

In late June, government forces withdrew from the Tigray regional capital of Mekelle after Addis Ababa announced a ceasefire.

The rebels rejected the offer and attacked the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions in their bid to march on the capital.

They have been accused of committing war crimes in the process.

Abiy shuttles to Entebbe, Kigali

The conflict has been a sensitive issue for the African Union, and Ethiopia's allies have prevented any discussion of the issue at the UN Security Council.

The conflict which was sparked last November by an attack on a federal army base by TPLF forces has threatened to further destabilize Africa's second-most populous country.

On Sunday, Abiy met with the leaders of Uganda and Rwanda in Entebbe and Kigali respectively.

According to the UN, the conflict has already left some 400,000 people in a near-famine situation. - Africanews with AFP

Waitrose is offering lorry drivers the same salaries as senior executives after a national shortage caused widespread supply chain issues across the UK.

The supermarket told Yahoo News it is prepared to pay Large Good Vehicle (LGV) drivers an average salary of £45,000 for a 45 to 48 hour week.

It comes as the same salary for roles like a senior SEO executive in London, which is currently being advertised for up to £45,000.

A specific shift pattern in Bracknell will even be paid £53,780 a year, which would be higher than senior executive roles, a pension specialist and a finance analyst roles at Waitrose.

Read: Politicians and military 'culpable' for going into war without 'thinking fully about the consequences', former RAF officer says

In a statement, Waitrose said: "The salary increases - which follow a review of LGV driver rates in the Partnership - are designed to ensure that both retailers can continue to recruit LGV drivers at market competitive rates." 

In July, the NHS contact tracing app caused mayhem as hundreds of thousands of workers were "pinged" so that they had to self-isolate. 

The disruption was among several factors that has led to a shortage in lorry drivers, causing delays to supermarket deliveries with photos showing empty shelves in stores across the UK.

Waitrose said that 900 drivers already employed by the supermarket will benefit from the up to £5,000 pay increase. 

Meanwhile, new drivers will get a £1,000 joining bonus as it tackles the staff shortages. 

In a statement, Mark Robinson, Director of Supply Chain for the John Lewis Partnership, said: “There’s never been a better time to get behind the wheel for Waitrose and John Lewis. 

"We’re responding quickly to the national driver shortage by ensuring our drivers are paid competitively and by investing in training for the future.

“These changes will mean that we can continue to serve our customers well and get them the products they need.” Yahoo News