BY HAFTU GEBREZGABIHER
International and regional organizations including the United Nations, European Union, the African Union and countries have been hailing the peace agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa to end the war in the northern Ethiopia.
The United Nations Secretary-General welcomes the signing of the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
The Agreement is a critical first step towards ending the devastating two-year old conflict in which the lives and livelihoods of so many Ethiopians have been lost. The Secretary-General urges all Ethiopians and the international community to support the bold step taken to sign the agreement between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
The Secretary-General pledges his support to the parties in the implementation of the provisions of the agreement and urges them 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.
The EU for its part welcomes the announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities and congratulates both the Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF for their commitment and courage towards peace. The EU commends the African Union mediation and its observers, as well as the South Africa host and reaffirms its readiness to support peace efforts moving forward in a process owned and led by Ethiopians.
The statement said that a swift implementation on the ground of the agreement reached today is needed. Priority is to resume humanitarian access in all affected areas and to restore basic services, in particular in Tigray. Further negotiations are encouraged to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement and launch broader political talks.
“As we approach the second anniversary of the beginning of the war, the EU reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Ethiopia on its way to reconciliation and recovery, like it has constantly remained by their side through humanitarian and development assistance.”
The EU stands by the families of the people who have been killed and those who have been victims of the worst atrocities during those two terrible years. It remains of the utmost importance that the victims see justice being brought upon the perpetrators of those crimes. Accountability is a corner stone for lasting peace and reconciliation, the statement further stated.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price also hailed the agreement. “The African Union’s announcement of the signing of a cessation of hostilities between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front represents an important step towards peace,” he told reporters.
“We welcome the momentous step taken in Pretoria today 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 Tigray People’s Liberation Front. 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 implementation of this agreement.”
The United States commends AU Commission Chairman Mussa Faki for his leadership as well as the extraordinary efforts of AU High Representative Olusegun Obasanjo, former South African Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka, and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose facilitation led to this significant step toward peace. We also commend South Africa for generously hosting the talks.
The United States remains a committed partner to this AU-led process and to our collaboration with the UN, IGAD, and other regional and international partners to support implementation of today’s agreement. We welcome the statement of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy expressing gratitude to the AU and share our support for his desire for an enhanced partnership to support reconstruction and development for all communities in northern Ethiopia affected by the conflict.
African Union president and Senegalese President Macky Sall for part said it was “excellent news. “I congratulate the parties and strongly encourage them to persevere on the path towards a permanent peace,” he said.
Furthermore, Türkiye also stated that it is pleased that an agreement was reached and it hopes the agreement will be permanent,. In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: “We congratulate the African Union for spearheading these talks, the host Republic of South Africa, and all contributors for their efforts.” Ankara reiterated that it is ready to give all kinds of support to “friendly and brotherly” Ethiopia for the establishment of peace and tranquility.
The Secretary-General commends the African Union and its high-level panel for the facilitation of the peace talks and the Republic of South Africa for hosting the peace talks. The United Nations stands ready to assist with the next steps of the African Union-led process and will continue to mobilize much-needed assistance to alleviate suffering in the affected areas.
For its part, the Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Workneh Gebeyehu, congratulated the Government of Ethiopia and TPLF on the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Pretoria.
“By signing this agreement to silence the guns and end the armed conflict, the people of Ethiopia now have the opportunity to establish a long-lasting peace”, he stated. Dr. Workneh commended the leadership and commitment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Government to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
He also commended the important role of the African Union (AU), especially the role played by Moussa Faki and Olesugun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria, Uhuru Kenyatta, the former president of Kenya, and Phumzile Mambo-Ngcuks, former deputy president of South Africa in facilitating the talks and congratulated the team of negotiators from both sides for conducting the dialogue in a responsible manner.
Workneh further thanked the Government of the Republic of South Africa for graciously hosting the talks. The Executive Secretary encouraged all parties to the agreement to live up to their commitments in implementing all its provisions.
The Ethiopian Herald November 15/2022
