Ethiopian Informer
ADDIS ABABA: (EI) — The Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) have agreed to engaging and identifying topics as part of the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA).
This came at the second strategic reflection meeting on the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) that was convened by the African Union (AU) on Tuesday, the AU disclosed in statement Wednesday.
The Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF on Nov. 2, 2022, signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in Pretoria, South Africa, eventually ending a two-year brutal conflict in northern Ethiopia. The COHA, among other things, includes provisions for the restoration of law and order, restoration of basic services, the demobilization of former combatants as well as unhindered access to humanitarian supplies.
According to the AU, the deliberations mainly focused on political dialogue between the Ethiopian federal government and the TPLF.
It said the two parties have agreed on engaging and identifying topics, focusing on the return of internally displaced persons and the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process of former combatants.
The AU said the second strategic reflection meeting on the implementation of the COHA envisaged to assessing the progress, address challenges and develop strategies for ensuring the successful implementation of the peace accord.
During the meeting, Moussa Faki Mahamat, the AU Commission Chairperson, has commended the progress made since the signing of the peace accord between the parties to the peace agreement that ended a two-year civil war in northern Ethiopia.
“The Chairperson of the AU Commission warmly received members of the Panel and Representatives of the parties. He commended the parties for the significant progress made since the signing of the COHA and expressed gratitude to the Panel Members for their unwavering leadership,” the statement read.
According to the AU, the meeting on Tuesday was enriched by the active participation of the Parties (FDRE and TPLF), the Observers (the United Nations, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development, the United States of America, and the European Union), and the three Member States providing the Team of African Experts (Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa). The deliberations focused on political dialogue between the FDRE and TPLF.
The AU further extolled the “sustained support” from the governments of Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa for the AU-led process. It acknowledges the continued support from bilateral and multilateral partners towards the full implementation of the Permanent COHA and calls for additional support.
Noting that the AU High-Level Panel will remain engaged in support of the Northern Ethiopia peace process, the AU said it remains committed to facilitating dialogue and supporting the peace process in Northern Ethiopia.
(PHOTO shows participants at the first strategic reflection meeting on the implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) at the AU. CREDIT: African Union)
