AU commends progress in Ethiopia's peace deal implementation-Xinhua

AU commends progress in Ethiopia's peace deal implementation

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2024-07-10 23:54:30

ADDIS ABABA, July 10 (Xinhua) -- The African Union (AU) has commended the progress made since the signing of the peace accord between the parties to the peace agreement that ended a two-year civil war in northern Ethiopia.

The statement was made by the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat as the 55-member continental organization convened the second strategic reflection meeting on the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in Ethiopia Tuesday, according to an AU statement issued Wednesday.

The meeting on the implementation of the COHA that was signed in November 2022 between the Ethiopian federal government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) mainly aimed to assess the progress, address challenges, and develop strategies for the successful implementation of the peace accord, the AU said.

The chairperson "commended the parties for the significant progress made since the signing of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement," according to the AU statement.

Noting that the deliberations mainly focused on the political dialogue between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF, the AU said the two parties agreed on engaging and identifying topics, focusing on the return of internally displaced persons, and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process of former combatants.

Recognizing advancements in the return of internally displaced persons and in the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process, the two parties also agreed on a phased execution of the COHA.

On Nov. 2, 2022, the Ethiopian government and the TPLF signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in Pretoria, South Africa, eventually ending a two-year brutal conflict in northern Ethiopia.

The peace deal includes provisions for the restoration of law and order, restoration of basic services, demobilization of former combatants, and unhindered access to humanitarian supplies.

The AU also commended the sustained support for the AU-led peace process from the three AU member states that are providing the team of African experts, namely Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa. It further reiterated its strong commitments to facilitating dialogue and support to the peace process in northern Ethiopia.

The strategic reflection meeting gathered representatives from the Ethiopian federal government, the TPLF, and other international observers, including the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development.