Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: US says Pretoria agreement remains best chance for peace

Washington, DC, US (PANA) - As the peace agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)  marked its first month on Friday, the US has stated that it remains the best chance for peace.

The Spokesperson for the US State Department, Mr. Ned Price, told a Department briefing on Friday that Washington is committed to supporting the parties as they fulfill their commitments under the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.

"While we want to see more progress in implementation of both the Pretoria and the Nairobi follow-on agreements, we welcome that the fighting stopped within 72 hours of the signing and the fact that it has not resumed," he said.

Mr. Price noted that there also has been "promising implementation in key areas".

Four separate humanitarian corridors — Tigray and the joining affected areas, Afar and Amhara regions —  have been established, and assistance has started flowing in increasing amounts every day, he said.

This assistance includes lifesaving food, medicine, and supplies to the people who need it most. Restoration of essential services has also begun in areas severely impacted by the conflict.

Mr. Price said the US also noted the launch of the Joint Disarmament Committee this week in Shire with military representatives from both parties, assisted by the African Union, working out modalities and timelines to consolidate the peace.

He stressed that implementation of the agreement also requires the "full withdrawal" of Eritrean forces as well as non-Ethiopian National Defence Force troops from Tigray.

"Much work remains to be done, including on human rights accountability, and we call for international human rights monitors to be given access to the conflict area."

Mr. Price said the US is mindful of the reports of significant violence in Oromia, and called on all armed actors to engage in political dialogue to end the fighting while exercising restraint and respecting the lives, the rights, and property of all those in Oromia.

He said the US Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa, Mr. Mike Hammer, remains "actively engaged", including with international partners to coordinate support for implementation of the agreement.

The Cessation of Hostilities agreement was signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on 2 November after AU-led talks brokered by former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo, former South African Deputy President, Dr. Phumuzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta.

Under the deal, they agreed to a permanent ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the conflict.

Subsequently, military commanders of Ethiopia and the TPLF also signed an agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, under which they made a commitment to unhindered humanitarian access and clarification of cessation of hostilities implementing arrangements.

The Ethiopian conflict started on 3 November, 2020 when the TPLF forces attacked the Federal forces in Mekelle and Prime Minister Abiy responded the following day.

There was a five-month lull in the fighting, but hostilities resumed again on 24 August.

The fighting has claimed thousands of lives, displaced millions, destroyed livelihoods and created a huge humanitarian problem amidst allegations of human rights violations, including possible war crimes

The TPLF had dominated Ethiopian politics for years until Prime Minister Abiy's electoral victory in 2018.

-0- PANA MA 3Dec2022