Ethiopian crisis: Kenyan President welcomes ceasefire agreement
Nairobi, Kenya (PANA) - Kenyan President William Ruto has praised the parties to the Ethiopia peace process, the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) for signing a peace agreement on Wednesday in South Africa to end two years of war.
President Ruto applauded Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the leadership of TPLF for their "bold step" towards restoring peace in Ethiopia.
He saluted the people of Ethiopia and wished them an era of cohesion, integration and reconciliation.
"The commitment demonstrated by the two parties to the African Union-led peace process aligns with our collective desire for peace and security within our region," President Ruto said.
Kenya and Ethiopia are both members of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
The parties to the peace talks signed the agreement to cease hostilities, open up humanitarian corridors and restore services.
"This mutual agreement will create the necessary environment to nurture durable peace and political stability in Ethiopia," President Ruto said in a statement.
The Executive Secretary of IGAD, Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, also congratulated the Government of Ethiopia and TPLF on the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Pretoria.
"By signing this agreement to silence the guns and end the armed conflict, the people of Ethiopia now have the opportunity to establish a long-lasting peace,” the Executive Secretary said at the signing ceremony in Pretoria.
Dr Workneh commended the leadership and commitment of Prime Minister Abiy and his Government to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The peace talks were led by the African Union Panelists, Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa; Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya; Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuke former South African deputy President.
-0- PANA AO/MA 3Nov2022
