Senior Commanders Meeting between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Peoples’ Liberation Front (TPLF) agree to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access.
NAIROBI (Peace and Security Department, AU) The African Union Commission concludes the Meeting of Senior Commanders following the signing of the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) between the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on 2 November 2022.
The parties have agreed to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all in need of assistance in Tigray and neighboring regions, facilitate the unhindered movement of humanitarian aid workers, provide security guarantees for humanitarian aid workers and organizations as well as protection of civilians consistent with the provisions of the Agreement.
Furthermore, the Parties agreed to the establishment of a Joint Committee to elaborate on the modalities for the implementation of a comprehensive Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) program.
The African Union Commission applauds the Parties on these significant confidence-building measures and encourages them to continue towards the full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, as part of overall efforts to end the conflict and restore peace, security and stability in Ethiopia.
The four-day Senior Commanders’ Meeting was facilitated by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, together with AU High-Level Panel Members, former President of Kenya, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, and H.E. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, former Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa and Member of the AU Panel of the Wise.
The African Union Commission expresses appreciation to the Government and People of the Republic of Kenya for hosting this Senior Commanders’ Meeting, a demonstration of the Continent’s commitment to the African Union’s Agenda of Silencing the Guns in Africa.
The African Union Commission further wishes to acknowledge the support of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the United Nations, the United States of America, and the African Development Bank.