Addis Ababa, November 2, 2023 (FBC) – The African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat commended all Ethiopians for embracing peace, national dialogue, and reconciliation since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement on 2 November 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa.
In an official press release, the AUC Chairperson congratulated Ethiopians on the First Anniversary of the signing of the Agreement for Lasting Peace through the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (COHA) between the Federal Government and TPLF on 2 November 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa.
The Chairperson saluted the Ethiopian Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (PhD), and the TPLF hierarchy for the sacrifice, unwavering commitment and mutual political will to permanently silence the guns in the northern part of the country through the steady, timely and continuous implementation of the AU-facilitated Pretoria Agreement.
In the spirit of African Solutions to African Problems, the Chairperson acknowledged the exemplary role and the contributions of African stakeholders to the Peace Agreement, particularly the AU Peace and Security Council, which endorsed the Peace Agreement on 9 November 2022; the 3-member High-Level Panel, comprising former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo (Nigeria), Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya) and former Deputy President Pumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka (South Africa), and equally, the Government of South Africa for successfully hosting the AU-led peace talks.
The Chairperson welcomed the vital performance of the Team of African Experts serving under the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (MVCM) in the Tigray region, launched on 29 December 2022, in Mekelle. He further commended all AU Member States, particularly the Governments of Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa, for the support extended to the MVCM through the prompt deployment of uniformed personnel to monitor the Peace Agreement. The Chairperson also extended his gratitude to partners for their concrete support to the AU-led Ethiopian peace process.
The Chairperson applauded the notable milestones being recorded in the implementation of the Peace Agreement and its Nairobi Roadmap. In this regard, he highlighted the restoration of basic services, the resumption of schools and commercial activities in the Tigray region, the establishment of an Interim Regional Administration, and the Working Group on Transitional Justice as well as the National Commission for Reintegration.
According to him, these vital actions powerfully demonstrate the commitment of the Signatory Parties to chart a path for sustainable peace and security in Ethiopia.
The Chairperson reaffirmed the full solidarity and commitment of the AU to intensify support for the implementation of the Peace Agreement as the implementation moves to the crucial phase of DDR. He reassured the people and Government of Ethiopia that the AU stands ready to consolidate the gains being made and resolve the pending issues in implementing the COHA.