His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), has inaugurated the 1st Strategic Reflection on the Implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Addis Ababa.
The meeting was attended by His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, and member of the AU Panel of the Ethiopia Peace Process, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, Former President of the Republic of Kenya, and member of the AU Panel, His Excellency Ambassador Redwain Hussein, Director General of the National Intelligence and Security Service and Head of the Delegation of the government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE).
Others were His Excellency, Getachew Reda, President of the Interim Regional Administration of Tigray, Dr. Debretsion Gebremichael, Chairman of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), Representatives of the United States, the EU and other Partners.
In a statement, His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat stated that the meeting marks almost one year and a half since the 2nd November 2022 Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.
“Indeed, following the Agreement, the AU has held two successful Senior Commanders’ meetings in Nairobi and established the Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission in Mekele. Through collaboration between the High-Level Panel, the Joint Committee, and the Monitoring Verification and Compliance Mission, the AU has been able to track progress on the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement.”
H. E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AUC Chairperson
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) noted that some of the key achievements since the signing of the agreement include the immediate cessation of hostilities, the handover of heavy and medium weapons, the resumption of essential services, and the reopening of schools and economic activities in most parts of the Tigray region.
Additionally, he highlighted that the establishment of the Interim Regional Administration in Tigray and the National Commission for Reintegration, with the support of the AU to the working group on transitional justice has also registered progress.
“I also authorized the disbursement of one million United States Dollars from the Crisis Reserve Facility of the AU Peace Fund to support the DDR program. In so doing, Ethiopia became the first AU Member State to benefit from the revitalized Peace Fund.”
H. E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AUC Chairperson
His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed the AU’s gratitude to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa for their continued support to the implementation of the COHA. He added, “Their contribution facilitated the deployment of a Team of African Experts, who diligently serve under the MVCM in Tigray region.”
He also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the African Development Bank (AfDB), the United Nations (UN), the EU, and the government of the United States of America for their continued support to their collective peace-making efforts in Northern Ethiopia.
“Today’s meeting is an important and timely opportunity for strategic reflection to take stock of the continued challenges and outstanding issues that remain to be resolved. It is, therefore, you the Parties, who are best placed to point out the outstanding issues and how they can best be resolved.”
H. E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AUC Chairperson
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), speaking to the audience emphasized that despite the undeniable achievements made so far, “the process of political dialogue, transitional justice, and Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration are among the important issues that need your urgent attention.”
He acknowledged that “Your continued leadership to collaborate and compromise, cannot be underestimated.”
He, therefore, urged the Commission to demonstrate the same commitment and candor that has become the hallmark of the process, which is essential to achieve peace for the region of Tigray.
His Excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat highlighted that durable and lasting peace in Tigray will not only be a key peace dividend for Ethiopia but also for the Horn of Africa region. “So, I cannot urge you enough, my brothers and sisters, to stay the course as we have reached a crucial point in this process, to be able to consolidate the key gains made so far,” He added.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC) charged the members to remain determined to continue to support the efforts to restore lasting peace, stability, and development to Tigray.
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