RUNDOWN
• African Union Commission has commended the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front for their efforts to restore peace.
• The gathering is part of efforts to stop the fighting which erupted in November 2020.
• The expected outcomes of the meeting include modalities for silencing guns, humanitarian access, and the restoration of services in the Tigray region.
The African Union Commission has commended the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front for their efforts to restore peace.
The commission encouraged the two sides to continue with their efforts to restore peace, security and stability in Ethiopia.
“The African Union Commission commends the parties for the positive confidence-building measures since the signing of Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA),” said the statement from retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Office of the 4th President of Kenya.
This followed the 2nd Senior Commanders Meeting between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front on Thursday, on the Implementation of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
The gathering is part of efforts to stop the fighting which erupted in November 2020 after months of tension, and which has destroyed so many lives and livelihoods.
There are around 5.2 million in need of humanitarian assistance in Tigray, including 3.8 million who need healthcare, according to the World Health Organisation. Thousands have been killed, with allegations of serious human rights violations committed by both sides.
The AU Commission further said the meeting finalised the Term of Reference of the Joint Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (JMVCM).
Also among the discussions is the implementation of the Disarmament, Demobilisation, and Reintegration (DDR) process.
The Senior Commanders meeting was facilitated by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo together with AU High-Level Panel Members Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka- former South African Deputy President and Member of the AU Panel of the Wise and Uhuru.
The AU Commission expressed appreciation to Kenya for hosting the meeting, which it said was a demonstration of African solidarity. The commission further expressed its appreciation to the US, Norway, UN, African Development Bank, and ICRC for their continued support of the AU-led process.
On 7 November, the African Union Commission convened the first Senior Commanders’ Meeting following the signing of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
The expected outcomes of the meeting include modalities for silencing guns, humanitarian access, and the restoration of services in the Tigray region.
By Jane Kibathi.
