The Ethiopian government and the rebel Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have agreed for an immediate ceasefire after week-long talks brokered by the African Union in South Africa.
Delegates of both sides reached an agreement to a permanent disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of TPLF. The agreement ended the 24 month bloody conflict in the northern part of the east African nation.
Redwan Hussien, the national security adviser to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, and Getachew Reda, a senior TPLF official, signed the accord and went on to shake hands.
“The two parties in the Ethiopian conflict have formally agreed to the cessation of hostilities as well as to systematic, orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament,” said Olusegun Obasanjo, head of the AU mediation team, during the signing ceremony.
After signing the agreement, both sides released a joint statement on their agreement which contains 12 articles to be implemented by both sides.
Obasanjo further said the agreement also included “restoration of law and order, restoration of services, unhindered access to humanitarian supplies, and protection of civilians.
“This moment is not the end of the peace process. Implementation of the peace agreement signed today is critical for its success,” said Obasanjo, adding that this would be supervised and monitored by a high-level AU panel.
He praised the process as an African solution to an African problem.
MG/abj/APA