BY YOHANES JEMANEH
Following the peace agreement held in Pretoria, South Africa, the Ethiopian government and the other party have agreed to realize peace and provide immediate unfettered humanitarian support to people affected by the two-year-long war.
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian government has expressed its gratitude to those who initiated the peace agreement mainly the African Union and its representatives.
In the statement issued on November 2, 2022, by the Office of the Prime Minister, PM Abiy Ahmed (Ph.D.) expressed his government’s commitment to collaborating for the implementation of the agreement that he described as monumental in moving Ethiopia forward on the path of the reforms the incumbent embarked upon four and half years ago.
“Our commitment to peace remains steadfast” he said, expreessing his gratitude to the African Union Commission and the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa His Excellency former President Olusegun Obasanjo, together with esteemed members of the high representative’s team, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta and Dr. Phumuzile Mlalmbo, former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa. Abiy also thanked AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat for spearheading the AU’s principled position of ‘African Solutions to African Problems.
Prime Minister Abiy also said in the statement that he is thankful to South African President Cyril Ramaphosa for hosting the talks to the successful conclusion. “Ethiopia is grateful to you and the sisterly nation of South Africa,” he noted. In this statement, the premier mentioned that he would like to appreciate the friends of Ethiopia that have taken an active role in supporting the conclusion of the agreement. “We count on your continued support in reconstructing conflict-affected areas in the Northern part of the country and an enhanced partnership with Ethiopia in our countrywide development endeavors,” he urged.
Accordingly, various international organizations and governments are appreciating the peace agreement and expressed their dedication to supporting the implementation of the peace deal. A statement issued by the UN on 2 November 2022 stated that the peace agreement signed between the federal government and the other party represents a critical step towards ending the brutal two-year war
In the statement, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities brokered by the African Union and mediated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, was a promising start to finally stopping the fighting which erupted in November 2020.
The Secretary-General said in the statement that all Ethiopians and the international community have to support the bold step taken by the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF combatants while signing the peace deal. The information obtained from the UN indicated that the Secretary-General pledged his support to the parties in the implementation of the agreement and urged both sides to continue with negotiations on the outstanding issues in a spirit of reconciliation in order to reach a lasting political settlement, silence the guns and put the country back on the path to peace and stability.’
He appealed to all stakeholders to seize the opportunity provided by the ceasefire, to scale up humanitarian assistance to all civilians in need, and to restore the desperately needed public services. Guterres commended the AU and its High-Level Panel for the facilitation of the peace talks and South Africa, for its key role in hosting the peace talks. The United Nations stands ready to assist the next steps of the African Union-led process and will continue to mobilize much-needed assistance to alleviate suffering in the affected areas, it was learned.
It has been reportedly said that the two-year-long war has caused a humanitarian crisis in Tigray, Amhara and Afar regions. According to WHO, there are around 5.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance in Tigray alone, including 3.8 million who need healthcare. Large numbers of displaced were arriving in, or moving towards Tigray’s regional capital, with needs rising by the day.
The AU had described the agreement as a new dawn and hailed the disarmament plan which both sides have officially signed up to after weeks of extensive negotiations including the restoration of aid supplies.
For Nebil Mahdi, Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan the conflict has triggered the loss of lives and livelihood, and it is in the interest of the entire people of Ethiopia to leave this chapter of conflict behind them and bring peace and harmony. Mahdi said during a press conference held at the Ethiopian Embassy in Juba that the government and the TPLF have agreed to coordinate disarmament along with restoration of law and order, and unhindered access to humanitarian supplies.
“We have also agreed on the detailed program for disarmament, demobilization, and re-integration for the TPLF combatants taking into account the security situation on the ground. The implementation of the ceasefire deal has already started,” he disclosed.
Various governments are also expressing their appreciation for the peace agreement reached by the government and the other party. In a statement by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, the United States of America welcomed the momentous step taken in Pretoria to advance the African Union’s campaign to “silence the guns” with the signing of a cessation of hostilities between the Government of Ethiopia and the other party.
“We commend the parties for taking this initial step to agree to end the fighting and continue dialogue to resolve outstanding issues to consolidate peace and bring an end to almost two years of conflict. We welcome the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians that should result from the implementation of this agreement,” Blinken said in the statement.
The United States commends AU Commission Chairman Faki for his leadership as well as the extraordinary efforts of AU High Representative Obasanjo, former South African Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka, and former Kenyan President Kenyatta, whose facilitation led to this significant step toward peace. We also commend South Africa for generously hosting the talks.
The US also expressed its commitment to partner with the AU-led process and its collaboration with the UN, IGAD, and other regional and international partners to support the implementation of the agreement. The country also pledged support for an enhanced partnership with Ethiopia to support reconstruction and development for all communities in northern Ethiopia affected by the conflict.
Meanwhile, Russia also expressed its pleasure in Ethiopia’s peace talks that will help to end the conflict in the northern part of the country. In a statement released by the Russian Embassy in Ethiopia on 3 November 2022, the country welcomed the peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and other party to cease hostilities in Northern Ethiopia.
“We hope that the signed Peace Agreement will serve as a solid foundation for completing the process of national reconciliation, reconstruction of the affected regions, and securing stability for the sake of prosperity of all Ethiopian people”, the statement read.
Similarly, the UK welcomed the important step towards peace taken by the Ethiopian Government and the other party in signing a cessation of hostilities on 2 November and commends their choice to end the devastating 2-year-long conflict.
The statement issued on 4 November 2022 by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) said the UK is grateful to the leadership shown in brokering this critical agreement by African Union Commission Chairperson Faki, African Union High Representative to the Horn of Africa Obasanjo, former South African Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Kenyan President Kenyatta, and the South African Government in hosting the talks.
It is now crucial that all parties in Ethiopia, with support from its friends in the international community, move to implement the agreement. Most critically, humanitarian aid must be urgently delivered to all those in conflict-affected areas.
The statement said, “The UK, as a longstanding friend and partner of Ethiopia, stands ready to work alongside the Ethiopian Government and others to support the recovery of conflict-affected areas. We look forward to seeing the benefits of peace for the people of Ethiopia.”
Prior to the peace agreement, various international agencies and some governments had been pressuring the government on providing humanitarian support and access to social services to war-affected areas.
Currently, these agencies and global powers are expressing that the peace deal will help to ensure access to unimpeded humanitarian aid. The federal government and other party must cooperate as per the agreement to ensure reliable peace and accessible aid to the people. The international community also needs to lend its hands in rehabilitation efforts to realize the fruits of the agreement shortly.
The Ethiopian Herald November 8/2022
