(Pretoria) The Ethiopian federal government and the rebel authorities of Tigray reached a “cessation of hostilities” agreement in Pretoria on Wednesday, less than 48 hours from 2e anniversary of the deadly conflict between them in northern Ethiopia.
Posted at 12:42 p.m.
“The two parties to the Ethiopian conflict have formally agreed on a cessation of hostilities, as well as on a methodical, orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament”, announced the High Representative of the African Union (AU) for the Horn of Africa, ex-Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The agreement, subsequently publicly signed by the heads of the two delegations, also provides for “restoration of public order, services (in Tigray), unhindered access of humanitarian supplies, protection of civilians, among others”, continued Mr. Obasanjo.
“This moment is not the end of the peace process, but its beginning. The implementation of the peace agreement signed today is essential,” he warned.
Details of the terms of the agreement and its implementation were not immediately disclosed. In particular, the mediators did not indicate what the agreement provides for concerning the intervention in Tigray of the army of neighboring Eritrea, a sworn enemy of the Tigrayan leaders, which supports the Ethiopian federal army.
The head of the Ethiopian government delegation, Redwan Hussein, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, hailed the “constructive commitment” of the belligerents “to put an end to this tragic episode”.
This agreement shows “the will of both parties to leave the past behind”, estimated Getachew Reda, who led the delegation of the rebel authorities of Tigray, saying he hoped that “both parties respect their commitments”.
“As we speak, thousands of combatants and civilians are losing their lives. It is therefore important not only to sign this agreement, but also that it is immediately implemented,” he added.
This is “a really welcome first step”, according to the spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. And “the beginning of a new era for Ethiopia”, according to the African Union.
“War crimes and crimes against humanity”
Since October 24, delegations from the Ethiopian federal government and the rebel authorities of Tigray have been talking in Pretoria under the aegis of the AU.
During the talks, fighting continued in Tigray, where Ethiopian federal troops have been advancing since mid-October, supported by the Eritrean army and by forces and militias from the neighboring Amhara and Afar regions.
PHOTO PHILL MAGAKOE, FRANCE-PRESSE AGENCY
“Both parties to the Ethiopian conflict have formally agreed to cease hostilities,” said Olusegun Obasanjo (right), AU high representative for the Horn of Africa, at a press conference.
Supported by artillery and aerial bombardment, the Ethiopian army and its allies have recently seized several key towns in the rebel region since fighting resumed on August 24.
The press does not have access to northern Ethiopia and communications there operate haphazardly, making independent verification impossible.
The toll of the conflict, marked by countless abuses and taking place largely behind closed doors, is unknown, but the International Crisis Group (ICG) and Amnesty International (AI) describe it as “one of the deadliest in the world “.
“All parties are responsible for grave violations, including war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the summary executions of hundreds of people and sexual violence against women and girls,” Amnesty said Wednesday. international.
The war has also caused a humanitarian catastrophe in northern Ethiopia, displacing more than two million Ethiopians and plunging hundreds of thousands into near-famine conditions, according to the UN.
The UN Human Rights Council on Friday “painted a very gloomy picture” of the situation in Tigray, almost cut off from the world, referring in particular to “the obstruction of access to food, medicine, and to basic services”.
Tigray has been largely without electricity, telecommunications and banking services for more than a year. The resumption of fighting also interrupted the bulk of the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region, whose truce declared at the end of March had allowed the resumption after three months of an initial interruption.