The African Union strives to preserve the 3-year plus accomplishments of the Pretoria Agreement
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), H.E. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, expresses deep concern over renewed tensions and military escalation in Northern Ethiopia, including the seizure and occupation of the airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire, the detention of federal personnel by the Tigray’s People Liberation Front ( TPLF) and the ensuing disruption of civilian air services.
The Chairperson is also gravely concerned by reports of escalating hostilities in parts of South Tigray and the Afar Region, as well as recent developments involving the formation of new political and military alliances that risk further destabilizing the situation and reversing the gains made to silencing the guns, since 2020.
The Chairperson reaffirms that the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities, signed in Pretoria on 2 November 2022, between the Government of Ethiopia and TPLF, under the auspices of the African Union, remains the cornerstone of sustainable peace, stability and reconciliation in Ethiopia. The seizure and occupation of the civilian airports of Mekelle, Axum and Shire by Tigray forces are inconsistent with the commitments and obligations within the Pretoria Agreement and risk eroding the hard-won gains achieved in the pursuit of lasting peace and stability.
The Chairperson calls for utmost restraint and the immediate cessation of all actions that could further escalate tensions. He calls on the resumption of direct talks without delay within the framework of the Pretoria Agreement.
The Chairperson also calls upon all neighbouring countries of Ethiopia to refrain from actions that could contribute to further escalation and to actively support de-escalation, dialogue and confidence-building.
As the African Union strives to preserve the 3-year plus accomplishments of the Pretoria Agreement and advance the Silencing the Guns Agenda, the Chairperson has requested H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, to urgently engage the parties and support renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions, promoting dialogue and safeguarding the peace process. Enditem
Source: APO
