Panafrican News Agency

Ethiopian crisis: US Secretary of State welcomes ongoing withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers

Washington, DC, US (PANA) - US Secretary of State Antony  Blinken has noted that Eritrean soldiers are withdrawing from northern Ethiopia under the peace agreement between the Federal Government and the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) that ended a two-year war.

A statement by Mr. Ned Price, the Spokesperson for the Department of State, said Mr. Blinken said this on Saturday when he spoke with the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, regarding the significant progress to date on implementation of the 2 November Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. 

Mr. Blinken said the ongoing withdrawal of the Eritrean troops was key to securing a sustainable peace in northern Ethiopia.

He also urged access for international human rights monitors. 

The statement said Mr. Blinken affirmed the commitment of the United States to support the African Union-led peace process in northern Ethiopia. 

The two also discussed the need to bring an end to ongoing instability in the Oromia region.

The TPLF says it has handed over its heavy weapons as part of its commitment to implementing the peace agreement.

Basic services by the Federal Government have been returning to life in the Tigray region as telecom services, operations of dozens of branches of banks, reconnection of electricity, air transport have resumed and hospitals have started work.

Humanitarian aid, medicines, and non-food items are also being delivered while roads and other infrastructures that were damaged are being reconstructed.

The Federal Police say they have resumed protecting federal institutions in Mekelle, the Tigray region capital, such as the airport, power stations, telecom installations and banks.

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

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

A three-member mission was inaugurated at the end of last year under the auspices of the AU to monitor, verify and enforce the end of the war.

The Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission will monitor the implementation of the civil and military agreement in accordance with the peace deal.

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.

-0- PANA MA 22Jan2023