Ethiopia’s Tigrayan rebels on Sunday said they were ready to begin peace talks led by the African Union (AU), reported The Reuters.
“The government of Tigray is prepared to participate in a robust peace process under the auspices of the African Union,” said a statement by the Tigrayan authorities. “Furthermore, we are ready to abide by an immediate and mutually agreed cessation of hostilities in order to create a conducive atmosphere.”
Ethiopia’s government has previously said it was ready for unconditional talks anytime and anywhere led by the Addis Ababa-headquartered AU.
The Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) had until now opposed the role of the AU’s Horn of Africa envoy Olusegun Obasanjo, protesting at his proximity to Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
In a statement, the TPLF said the Tigrayans wants credible peace process with mutually acceptable mediators and international observers. It made no mention of any preconditions for the talks.
The war began in November 2020 when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed sent troops to topple the TPLF, the region’s former ruling party, saying the move came in response to attacks by the group on army camps.
The fighting resumed last month shattering a March truce. The warring sides have traded blame for starting the latest round of hostilities.
Earlier this month, TPLF leader Debretsion Gebremichael had proposed a truce with four conditions including unfettered humanitarian access and the restoration of essential aid and services in Tigray.
In a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Gebremichael also called for the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from across Ethiopia, and troops from western Tigray, a disputed region claimed by both Tigrayans and Amharas, the country’s second-largest ethnic group.
Notably, people living in Ethiopia’s northernmost region continue to suffer severe food shortages and have very limited access to basic services including electricity, communications and banking.
