Peace agreement paves the way for gradual normalization of life in northern Ethiopia: Gov’t

Addis Ababa, November 6, 2023 (FBC) – The Government Communication Service of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia issued a statement regarding the first anniversary of the signing of the “Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities”

In the statement, the government appraised Ethiopia’s friends and partners on the progress in the implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The Peace Agreement has been instrumental in silencing the guns and paving the way for the gradual normalization of life in northern Ethiopia, the statement says.

The government has shown its unwavering commitment to the implementation of the agreement through a number of bold and decisive measures to build trust and consolidate peace.

The statement added that the government has taken several salient measures including putting an end to all military operations and hostile rhetoric against the TPLF and expediting and facilitating the provision of humanitarian assistance and facilitated the resumption of all essential services in the Tigray region.

Furthermore, the federal government has set up and put into operation a Rehabilitation Commission aimed at facilitating the process of demobilizing and reintegrating ex-TPLF combatants, according to the statement.

The Federal legislature lifted the terrorist designation and proscription of the TPLF and released prisoners in a bid to further build trust. This allowed the Government to drop all charges brought against senior TPLF officials.

Federal government has also facilitated the establishment of an interim regional administration and provided budgetary grants and support to the regional administration through federal fiscal transfers as well as through sectoral and horizontal assistance from other regions.

To put this process on a solid foundation we are finalizing the formulation of a comprehensive national transitional justice policy to ensure accountability and reconciliation.

“These measures, demonstrate the commitment of the Federal Government to the full implementation of the Peace Agreement. Considering the principles underpinning the Agreement, the Federal Government has gone above and beyond its obligations under the Peace Agreement to realize its noble objectives.”

“For instance, to build trust and with a spirit of magnanimity, the Federal Government has refrained from insisting upon the timelines for disarmament set out in the Agreement.”

The government has refrained from deploying a large contingent of armed and security forces in Mekelle, despite its constitutional prerogatives that have been reiterated in the Agreement, the statement issued by the Government Communication Service indicates.

“The broad-minded approach of the Federal Government has also been demonstrated in the way it has denied the ruling party at the federal level a seat in the interim regional administration to ensure harmony and expeditious recovery of the region and swift normalization despite its entitlement to be included in the administration pursuant to the Peace Agreement.”

Furthermore, concerning the contested areas, the Federal Government has brought the contesting regional states together to find a peaceful and lawful solution to the problem.

“This has resulted in a clear pathway for the resolution of this issue pursuant to the FDRE Constitution, which entails the return of IDPs who have been displaced from these areas and resumption of their farming activities, the establishment of local administrations selected from local residents, transfer of all security and law enforcement duties in these areas to federal forces and a final determination on the fate of these areas through a referendum to be held in the localities.”

Sustainable peace entails reciprocity on both sides. As a post-conflict environment, the Tigray people require all regional government services to be functional in the interests of the people of the region through delivery by public servants. Keeping combatants that could have served their people in different public roles remains a challenge.

“Similarly, the disarmament process requires an inventory of heavy armaments handed over and a full handing over of small and light arms, which still remain rampant in the region. It is thus imperative that friends and partners of Ethiopia continue to support and encourage all actors to adhere to the agreement and refrain from behaviour that would jeopardize peace and security in Ethiopia,” the statement added.

Ethiopia counts on the continued engagement of our friends and partners for lasting peace in Ethiopia.

The Federal Government, on its part, will redouble its effort to consolidate peace and ensure the full implementation of the Peace Agreement.