UPDATE1: Ethiopian crisis: 'Govt working to ensure peace agreement is implemented on agreed terms'
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia (PANA) - The Government of Ethiopia says it is working to ensure that the peace agreement signed in South Africa with the rebel Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) is implemented "according to the terms agreed upon".
Accordingly, it said, efforts are being made to deliver humanitarian assistance to most of the Tigray region which is under Ethiopia National Defence Force (ENDF) command.
A statement issued by the Government Communication Service on Saturday said basic services were "slowly being restored in some areas".
In other areas, "a conducive environment" was being created to repair damage to basic service infrastructure caused by rebel fighters, the statement said.
It said in addition to these efforts, "the commanders of the ENDF and the TPLF have discussed detailed plans for disarmament of TPLF fighters".
These discussions have culminated in an agreement on the plans for disarmament and entry of the ENDF into the capital of Tigray region, Mekelle, as outlined in the peace agreement.
"The Government urges all parties involved in the implementation of the plan to fulfill their obligations under the agreement," the statement said.
Military Commanders of the Government and TPLF signed an agreement in Nairobi, Kenya, on Saturday under which they made a commitment to unhindered humanitarian access and clarification of cessation of hostilities implementing arrangements.
Under the Declaration of the Senior Commanders Meeting on the Implementation of the Ethiopia Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, a joint body will oversee disarmament of the TPLF.
In addition the parties further committed to cooperate and facilitate the delivery of unhindered humanitarian access in the agreement.
Saturday's agreement followed talks between the military Commanders which started last Monday under the auspices of African Union (AU) High Representative, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The US has welcomed the humanitarian access permissions that have already been restored as well as the firm commitments for humanitarian assistance to flow to the Tigray region and the affected areas of the Afar and Amhara regions to address the needs of the most vulnerable, a press statement issued by Mr. Ned Price, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said.
The Cessation of Hostilities agreement was signed in Pretoria, South Africa, after an (AU)-led talks brokered by former President Obasanjo, former South African Deputy President, Dr. Phumuzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, and former President Kenyatta.
Under the deal, they agreed to a permanent ceasefire and peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The Ethiopian conflict started on 3 November, 2020 when the TPLF forces attacked the Federal forces in Mekelle and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed 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 13Nov2022
