BY ADDISALEM MULAT
The peace accord signed between the federal government and Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria, South Africa, has demonstrated the crucial role African Leadership played in finding African solutions to African problems without the involvement and dictation of the third party. On top of that the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement has shown the ability of the continental bloc to resolve predicaments successfully.
Though much attention has not been paid to the continental bloc’s leadership role in resolving the continent’s predicaments, the AU-brokered peace deal has displayed the world Africa’s wisdom and capacity in addressing internal predicaments. Apart from showcasing the accomplishment of the continental bloc, the peace accord has proved Ethiopia’s capability in curtailing conflicts and violence. As a matter of fact, the AU-led peace accord has played a huge role in fast-tracking humanitarian aid and returning everything to normalcy. Following the positive moves unfolding in the northern part of the country, the federal government has been receiving a pat on the back from the wider international community.
Albeit a lot has been said to throw cold water on the positive efforts of the peace accord brokered by the African Union, the peace implementation has been pointing forward in the right direction changing the false narratives of some entities. With some casting their doubts on the continental bloc’s capacity to resolve its quandaries without the meddling of third parties and dictation of backseat drivers, it at the end of the day turned out to be making history by proving naysayers wrong. Instead of learning from their past blunders some of them have sustained pulling out all the stops to put a damper on the positive developments. In spite of the fact that quite a lot of groups pulled out all the stops to tarnish deal, the peace implementation has continued taking root by ensuring peace and tranquility.
Notwithstanding the fact that wet blankets have made every possible effort to give a low profile to the AU-led peace deal by spewing fictitious stories concerning the capability of the continental bloc and Ethiopia , the implementation has sustained making progress in the right direction No matter what rumormongers say about the peace deal, the peace implementation has been attaining outcomes. Although some entities dissatisfied with the successful implementation of the cessation of hostilities agreement spared no efforts to tarnish the mammoth step, all their endeavors went for nothing.
It is certainly true that the continent of Africa has passed through many twists and turns as a result of the interference of some groups in the internal affairs of African Nations to tamper with their territorial integrity and sovereignty. One thing that has to be taken into account is the fact that Ethiopia has taken the AU-led brokered peace deal to new heights and reinforced harmony and cooperation among the continent of Africa.
In addition to proving Africa’s capability in resolving African predicaments, the cessation of hostilities agreement is a great victory for the continent of Africa. Apart from oiling the wheels of silencing the guns, the peace accord has been playing a huge role in ensuring peace and tranquility throughout the country and in the volatile region of the Horn of Africa. As things stand at present, after the signing of the peace deals the delivery of humanitarian assistance and restoration of social infrastructure have been bringing about the desired goal.
It is public knowledge that subsequent to the peace accord, some areas that were under complete blackout have been connected to the national power grid. Though some groups thought restoration activities in the northern part of the country would take a long time, the whole thing at the earliest possible time embarked on getting back on track. In the same way, in the wake of the peace implementation, the federal government has successfully restored telecom infrastructure in Tigray State and recommenced services across the region. In fact, Ethio Telecom has been working around the clock with the intention of addressing various challenges facing the northern part of the country as a consequence of the evil deeds of some anti-peace elements.
It is recalled that quite a lot of telecom infrastructures have been devastated as a consequence of the conflict that lasted for two years in Northern Ethiopia. But after the peace accord, reinstating services in various war-affected towns has been made possible almost immediately. In the wake of the uncompromising stance of the federal government, Ethiopia has been showing the wider international community the fact that what the AU-led brokered peace deal means a lot to Ethiopia and the rest of Africa.
Given the current circumstances, taking advantage of the peace accord the incumbent has been accelerating the provision of humanitarian aid and restoration of social infrastructure. In consideration of the foregoing, residents have been feeling on top of the world. As peace is a vital element for earthly existence, various nations have been supporting the federal government in expediting peace implementation. The cessation of hostilities agreement on the conflict in northern Ethiopia is one of the most powerful testaments to the importance of African leadership, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, according to information obtained from Ethiopian News Agency.
Following the conclusion of his official visit to Ethiopia, he said that an African led solution is recently bearing fruit. “African led solutions are increasingly making the difference on the challenges of the 21st century. One of the most powerful testaments to the importance of African leadership has been the November 2nd 2022 cessation of hostilities agreement and the conflict in the northern part of Ethiopia.”
Blinken noted that the peace agreement is vital to save lives and promote peace in Ethiopia. According to him, the cessation of hostilities agreement is a major achievement and step forward in saving and changing lives. The guns are silent as the fighting stopped; humanitarian assistance flowed and reached all communities in need. Services are restored in the Tigray region. The state secretary also appreciated the dedicated diplomacy of the mediators from the African Union, Kenya and South Africa.
The African Union’s moderating mechanism is a successful implementation, he added. “Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, the Ethiopian federal government, Tigray regional leaders should be commended for reaching this agreement on the significant progress and delivering on their commitments. This has created the foundation to rebuild the communities that have been suffering in Tigray, Amhara, and the Afar regions. They need help and support.”
The AU-brokered Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) between the government and TPLF demonstrates Africa’s ability to solve internal problems thereby protecting its interest and bringing inclusive economic progress, experts in the issue said. Bahir Dar University Political Science and International Relations Assistant Professor Yayew Genet told the Ethiopian Press Agency (EPA) in the recent past that the ability to solve internal problems independently would have a significant impact in creating strong unity among the people of Ethiopia. The truce also has the ability to ensure sustainable peace and development in the country.
Likewise, resolving problems in accordance with the political culture of the country should ensure inclusive growth and also avoid external interference and pressure. The situation would also open the space for promoting the political culture and ability of countries to solve their problems by internal mechanisms. The academician further noted that the CoHA aligns with AU’s vision of seeking African solutions to African problems. The government of Ethiopia has, in practical terms, demonstrated its commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully through the auspices of the continental body.
“Ethiopia believes that the principle of ‘seeking African solutions to African problems’ shall dictate the policies of those involved in the conflict and those advocating for a negotiated peace.” As to him, most of Africa’s problems are different from the rest of the world and addressing those problems requires special mechanisms. Accordingly, solving the issue needs indigenous and continental approach.
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 22 MARCH 2023
