AU hails Ethiopia's efforts to resolve Tigray conflict

The chairperson of the African Union Commission Mussa Faki Mahamat on Friday commended the Ethiopian government and the TPLF for their commitment to resolving the conflict and finding a peaceful solution.

The recent agreement between the Tigrayan rebels and the Ethiopian government to sit for direct talks for the first time is the most significant breakthrough since the civil war erupted in November 2020.

Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday, announced that his government has set up a committee to negotiate with the Tigray rebels.

"The committee is due to be headed by his deputy and will have 10 to 15 days to work out on details of agendas for negotiations," Abiy said.

Later on Tuesday, TPLF leader, Debretsion Gebremichael, said: "We stand ready to the credible, impartial, and principled peace process that engages with the Parties to the conflict in Ethiopia in a serious, inclusive, and considered manner"

"The lifting of the national state of emergency, release of detainees and prisoners of war, setup of the National Dialogue Commission, humanitarian truce and declaration of ceasefire, and the withdrawal of the Tigray People's Liberation Front ( TPLF) from the Afar region," played a significant role in confidence-building between the parties said Mahamat

He also welcomed the progress made in providing humanitarian assistance to the affected regions following the signing of a ceasefire agreement.

"These measures resulted from intensive engagements, through shuttle diplomacy, by the AU High Representative, culminating in an overall lull in hostilities and reduction in violence, which should be consolidated" he noted.

The chairperson also praised the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former President Olusegun Obasanjo for his determination to solve the Ethiopian war in negotiated solutions.

However, TPLF leader, Debretsion Gebremichael in an open letter he wrote to regional and international peace partners on Monday criticized the AU.

"We have consistently condemned the failure of the African Union Chairperson and his High Representative to take a position consistent with their solemn obligations under the Constitutive Act of the Union, the Protocol establishing the Peace and Security Council, and a host of other commitments entered into " Debretsion stressed.

"In the considered view of the People and Government of Tigray the leadership of the African Union Commission has yet to redeem its failures and restore our trust" he added.

Tigray conflict has claimed thousands of lives and forced many people to be displaced.