Tigray government and rebels sign ‘cessation of hostilities agreement’

Even if it’s not yet peace, it’s still a big step in its direction. The Ethiopian federal government and the rebel authorities of Tigray concluded a cessation of hostilities agreement in Pretoria on Wednesday, less than 48 hours before the second anniversary of the deadly conflict between them in northern Ethiopia.

The two parties “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 the Africa, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo who led the troika of mediators.

The start of the “peace process”

The heads of the two delegations shook hands after signing this agreement which also provides for “restoration of public order, services (in Tigray), unhindered access of humanitarian supplies, protection of civilians, among others” . “This moment is not the end of the peace process, but its beginning,” Obasanjo warned.

Details of the terms of the agreement and its implementation were not immediately disclosed. The mediators thus did not indicate what the document provides concerning the other players in the conflict, particularly the army of neighboring Eritrea: Sworn enemy of the Tigrayan leaders, it supports the Ethiopian federal army in Tigray which borders it.

A “constructive engagement” according to Ethiopia

The two signatories “are not the only two groups with a role to play for peace in Ethiopia”, noted former South African Vice-President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, a member of the troika, asking the signatories to ” share this agreement” so that “many others adhere to it”.

The head of the Ethiopian government delegation, Redwan Hussein, National Security Advisor to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, for his part 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 them”, added Getachew Reda, who heads the delegation of the rebel authorities of Tigray, saying he hopes that “both parties respect their commitments”. Third member of the troika, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta felt that “much remains to be done. Trust must be built. We will help it”.

Discussions since October 25

In the evening, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his “strong” commitment to implementing the agreement. Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, hailed him “a really welcome first step”. This “represents an important step for peace,” said US State Department spokesman Ned Price.

Delegations from the Ethiopian federal government and the rebel authorities of Tigray have been talking since October 25 in Pretoria under the aegis of the AU. During the talks, fighting continued in Tigray, where Ethiopian and allied federal forces have been advancing since mid-October. Supported by artillery and aerial bombardments, they recently seized several important towns in the rebel region. However, the press does not have access to northern Ethiopia and communications there operate haphazardly, making any independent verification impossible.

A humanitarian catastrophe

The toll of the conflict, marked by countless abuses and taking place largely behind closed doors, is unknown, but the International Crisis Group and Amnesty International describe it as “one of the deadliest in the world”. The conflict began on November 4, 2020 when Abiy Ahmed sent the federal army to arrest the leaders of the Tigray executive who had challenged his authority for several months and whom he accused of attacking a federal military base.

The war has 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. Tigray has been largely without electricity, telecommunications and banking services for more than a year. The resumption of fighting has also interrupted the bulk of the delivery of humanitarian aid to the region.