Tigray’s leaders accept AU-led peace process, name negotiators

By Tesfa-Alem Tekle

September 12, 2022 (NAIROBI) – Tigray’s leaders said Sunday that they are ready for AU-led peace talks to negotiate with the central government to end a nearly two-year, long-running bloody warfare.

The announcement was made after representatives of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and prime Minister Abiy Ahmed “secretly” met in Djibouti during the weekend.

Sources close to the matter told Sudan Tribune that two representatives from each warring party met in Djibouti to discuss reaching a deal for a fresh ceasefire and ways how to allow long-term peace negotiations.

According to the sources, the Djibouti talks were sponsored by the US government.

In a statement issued yesterday, Tigray leaders said they were ready for a ceasefire and would accept an African Union-led peace process, changing their previous position over the AU mediation role.

Before the Djibouti talks, Tigray leaders have repeatedly questioned the AU’s neutrality on the peace process and instead preferred Kenya to have the lead role in the mediation, bringing on board the U.S., EU and the UN alongside the African Union (AU).

Tigray’s doubt on AU’s neutrality is largely over the “proximity” of Olusegun Obasanjo, AU’s special envoy to the Horn of Africa, with the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

Addis Ababa, on its part, called for unconditional talks “anytime, anywhere,” but requested that it should be brokered by the African Union.

The latest developments, which coincided with Ethiopia’s New Year, are hoped to ease daunting obstacles for the start of a dialogue.

“The government of Tigray is prepared to participate in a robust peace process under the auspices of the African Union,” a statement by the Tigray government said.

“Furthermore, we are ready to abide by an immediate and mutually agreed cessation of hostilities in order to create a conducive atmosphere”

Tigray’s authorities said they expect a credible AU-led process which would also include mutually acceptable mediators; international observers who will help the parties create needed conditions for a successful process.

According to the statement, an agreement on a cessation of hostilities will be followed by finalizing a comprehensive negotiated ceasefire, and an all-inclusive political dialogue to resolve issues underlying the current conflict.

Also, the regional government has named a team of negotiators “ready to be deployed without delay”

“Tigray government has set up a negotiation team. This team, which includes Getachew Reda and Gen. Tsadkan Gebretinsae has already been given the mandate to represent the Government of Tigray in future negotiations”.

AU Commission chief Moussa Faki issued a statement welcoming the development as a “unique opportunity towards the restoration of peace” and urged “both parties to urgently work towards an immediate ceasefire, engage in direct talks”.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres called in a statement for “the parties to seize this opportunity for peace and to take steps to definitively end the violence and opt for dialogue.”

He said the United Nations is ready to support the AU-led peace process.

Taye Dendea, Ethiopia’s state minister for peace, described the TPLF announcement as a “nice development” on Twitter but insisted the “so-called TDF (Tigray Defence Forces) must be disarmed before peace talks begin”.

Fierce fighting has raged on several fronts in northern Ethiopia since the end of August, breaking a five-month ceasefire committed by both warring parties.

Both sides have traded accusations of firing first and breaking a March truce aimed to allow humanitarian aid to the war-torn Tigray region where millions of people are facing starvation over the government-imposed blockade.

(ST)