Ethiopian authorities and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front Saturday followed through on talks that were held in Kenya’s capital this week that focused on ending the brutal two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia.
“The parties have agreed to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all in need of assistance in Tigray and neighboring regions,” read a joint statement released by the rivals.
“The two sides have also agreed to establish a joint committee to implement the agreement to disarm fighters with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front,” added the statement.
The restoration of aid to Ethiopia’s Tigray region has been central to discussions between the two sides and will witness over six million people receiving assistance.
Aid groups say the Horn of Africa nation’s northernmost region is experiencing a humanitarian crisis due to lack of food, medicine, and limited access to basic services such as electricity, banking and communications.
Olusegun Obasanjo, the African Union mediator tasked with overseeing peace talks between Ethiopia and the TPLF said the agreement would start with immediate effect.
“We applaud the parties on these significant confidence-building measures and encourage them to continue towards the full implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement as part of overall efforts to end the conflict and restoring peace, security and stability in Ethiopia,” read a statement released by the African Union Commission.
