The Pretoria Peace Agreement, officially known as the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA), signed on November 2, 2022, ended two years of devastating conflict in Tigray, which subsequently spilled over into the neighboring regions of Amhara and Afar. The agreement was facilitated by the African Union with the Americans ‘observer’ role, and signed by the Ethiopian government and the TPLF.
The agreement not only ended one of the bloodiest wars in Africa in recent years, but also reaffirmed the long-held mantra to both friends and foes that Ethiopia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity is inviolable by any means or power.
Both signatories of the peace deal have proved many skeptical political analysts wrong by staying loyal and committed to the accord they signed and making an unreserved effort to its full implementation. One year on, several fundamental works have been accomplished that took the peace process beyond the point of no return.
So far, in its one year the journey of the implementation Pretoria peace accord has translated into action such crucial tasks like the handover of heavy and medium weapons, the restoration of basic services, the resumption of schools and commercial activities in the Tigray region, and the National Commission for Reintegration.
While there is still much work to be done, the Pretoria Peace Deal has had a significant positive impact on the situation in Tigray. It has effectively silenced the guns in the region, bringing an end to months of violence and instability and creating a path toward greater stability and prosperity for the region. Aid organizations have been able to access many parts of the region to provide much-needed assistance.
An inclusive interim regional administration that comprises various actors in Tigray politics has been established and has been active for several months since last March. Civilian administration has returned to many parts of Tigray, allowing local communities to take control of their own affairs. Law and order are holding sway. Civilians are no longer subject to arbitrary detention or extrajudicial killings.
Since the signing of the peace deal, there have been significant improvements in the region. Social services that were disrupted during the conflict have been restored. These include health clinics, schools, and water supply systems. This has been made possible by the coordinated efforts of the federal and transitional government, aid organizations, and local communities.
Free, safe, and secure movement of civilians has been restored in many parts of the region. Roads and airports have reopened, allowing people to travel freely and goods to be transported more easily. This has had a positive impact on the region’s economy, with farmers, traders, and factory workers back to work. Goods are moving in and outside of Tigray as it has been before the conflict. The reopening of roads and airports has also improved access to humanitarian aid and other essential goods.
The economic recovery in the Tigray region has been a key priority since the signing of the Pretoria peace deal. As elsewhere in the country, Agriculture is the mainstay of the region’s economy, and the conflict had a significant impact on farmers in the region. Many were forced to abandon their farms due to the forced call to join the war, lack of inputs, or unable to access their field due to insecurity.
However, since the signing of the peace deal, farmers have been able to return to their land and resume their livelihoods. Aid organizations have also provided seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs to support agricultural production.
To further expedite positive developments in the economic recovery of Tigray, the interim administration should prioritize and be laser-focused on such key tasks as rapid rehabilitation of the damaged infrastructure, ensuring access to markets, and mitigation measures against the inflation of the price of basic commodities.
Likely, the federal and regional authorities would soon reach a common ground to cooperatively implement the remaining unfinished tasks mentioned in the peace accord which include among others disarmament, demobilization and reintegration [DDR], the implementation of a credible transitional justice and accountability process for the victims of atrocities, and the return of internally displaced persons.
The federal government on its part has been working last year on a plan for the implementation of a comprehensive national transitional justice policy by ensuring the participation of all stakeholders through public consultations held across the nations. Now, the transitional justice policy document which is expected to contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation, and justice in Ethiopia has been developed. According to the Ministry of Justice, the formulated policy of transitional justice will be implemented this year across the nation including the Tigray region.
Moreover, The restoration of the Tigray region’s representation in the federal parliament and House of Federation, as well as the start of political dialogue between signatories to find lasting solutions to their underlying political differences would also be a task that would require the attention of the federal and regional officials of Tigray.
Complimenting the implementation of the Pretoria Peace Agreement, the independent Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission is reportedly preparing to carry out the dialogue process in Tigray , and has already held talks with the officials of regional administration.
The Pretoria peace deal has received international support from governments and organizations around the world. The US and European governments have hailed the agreement as an important step towards peace and stability in the region. The African Union played a key role in brokering the deal, and other regional organizations such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have also expressed support.
The US, a cluster of some EU countries, and AU have a few days ago issued separate statements in connection with the first anniversary of the signing of the Pretoria peace deal. In their statement, they expressed their appreciation for the progress made so far in the implementation of the peace accord and pledged their outright support for the successful completion of the peace process.
However, it should be underlined that donor governments and intergovernmental agencies should provide enough practical support more than paying lip service to the peace deal. They need to provide adequate funds and technical support in time to support the reconstruction of the war-affected regions. They should not be distracted by other political events happening elsewhere in another part of the world.
The continued success of the peace deal in Tigray would be a great model for peacefully resolving other conflicts happening in other parts of the world. Donor governments and intergovernmental agencies must recognize the significance of this and provide the necessary support to ensure its success.
There are still millions of people in the war-affected regions who still depend on humanitarian assistance just to survive. Aid organizations reportedly are not adequately resourced to carry out the required humanitarian assistance to the needy in the war-affected areas.
According to a recent report of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2023, let alone the required support concerning health, education, and agriculture, the available funds for the provision of food assistance to the needy in Ethiopia can only cover 26 percent of the required amount. Thus, donor agencies should step up their support for the speedy rehabilitation of the communities’ war war-affected regions of the country. The continued success of the peace deal will require sustained engagement and support from the international community.
Diplomatic relations between the Ethiopian government and Western governments and donor agencies have been improving since the signing of the Pretoria peace deal. The Ethiopian government has been engaging with international partners to secure funding for humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in the region.
In general, while there have been significant improvements since the signing of the Pretoria peace deal, there is still much work to be done to ensure lasting peace and stability in Tigray. The continued success of the peace deal will require sustained engagement and support from all stakeholders involved.
BY SOLOMON WASSIHUN
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD WEDNESDAY 8 NOVEMBER 2023
