Belgium, (Brussels Morning Newspaper) The EU welcomed the ceasefire agreement between the Ethiopian government and Tigray region rebels.
The African Union (AU) mediated the agreement signed on Wednesday, with the two sides agreeing in a joint statement to “permanently silence the guns,” according to DW reporting on Wednesday.
Olusegun Obasanjo, AU’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa who started mediating peace last month, pointed out that both sides agree to “systematic, orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament.”
Besides disarmament, Obasanjo pointed out that the two sides agreed to secure “unhindered access to humanitarian supplies.” The Tigray War broke out roughly two years ago and caused a humanitarian crisis in the north of Ethiopia.
Foreign reactions
The EU welcomed the deal and called for more dialogue with the aim of reaching a “permanent ceasefire agreement.” The bloc stressed the importance of making sure that humanitarian aid can be delivered.
Annalena Baerbock, German Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcomed the peace deal and called on neighbouring Eritrea to “lay down its arms and withdraw. Eritrean forces supported Ethiopia in the conflict, but Eritrean representatives were not present at the signing of the peace agreement in Pretoria.
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of State, described the agreement as a “momentous step” and expressed hope that humanitarian aid will be allowed to reach the people it needs to.
“We welcome the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian assistance and the protection of civilians that should result from implementation of this agreement,” he concluded.
Redwan Hussein, Ethiopia’s chief negotiator, pointed out “it is now for all of us to honour this agreement.”
Macky Sall, AU head and President of Senegal, welcomed the peace deal and described the announcement as “excellent news.”
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, announced that the government was committed to implementing the deal and added that he is happy the two sides reached an agreement.
A representative of Tigray rebels noted in a press statement that the peace deal should be implemented as soon as possible.
Getachew Reda, spokesman of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, noted that concessions were made, which he described as necessary to build trust.
“Ultimately, the fact that we have reached a point where we have now signed an agreement speaks volumes about the readiness on the part of the two sides to lay the past behind them to chart a new path of peace,” he concluded.
