Human Rights Watch on Wednesday urged the African Union to intensify engagement with Ethiopia’s federal government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) to prevent the fragile peace deal from collapsing as fighting flares again in northern Ethiopia.
Barely a week after African leaders met in Luanda to strengthen the AU’s conflict prevention capacity, tensions between Addis Ababa and the TPLF have resurfaced.
Human Rights Watch Watch’s Advocacy Director for Africa, Allan Ngari said developments in northern Ethiopia are cause for concern and present a concrete opportunity for the AU to intensify its engagement with the two parties.
He said the continental body should intensify engagement with Ethiopia’s federal government and the TPLF to address the disputes threatening a 2022 peace agreement signed in the South African capital Pretoria.
“The AU should act before escalating tensions spiral out of control,” he said.
“It should assess whether the existing mediation arrangement needs strengthening and call for public reporting by its Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism on compliance with the agreement, including allegations of remobilisation and abuses against civilians.”
The two sides signed the AU‑brokered Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in November 2022 but disputes over contested territories, disarmament and the return of displaced people have stalled its implementation.
In August, heavy clashes erupted near Ethiopia’s border with Sudan, with reports of artillery and drone strikes.
Ngari noted that civilians remain at risk, citing abuses against Tigrayans by authorities in Western Tigray and recent reports of forced recruitment by the TPLF, including children.
He warned that mediation mechanisms are under strain and questioned whether the existing channels retain the confidence of both parties.
The AU Peace and Security Council has recently endorsed a new Trigger Model for Early Warning and Response, aimed at bridging the gap between risk detection and preventive action.
JN/APA