African concern over Tigray tensions and calls for adherence to the peace agreement
The African Union Commission expressed its deep and growing concern over the recent security and field developments in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia, warning against a return to a cycle of violence. This warning came from the Chairperson of the Commission, who stressed in an official statement the need for all parties to exercise maximum restraint to avoid undermining the hard-won security gains of the past two years.
The importance of adhering to the Pretoria Peace Agreement
The statement issued by the African Union emphasized the paramount and ongoing importance of preserving the positive outcomes achieved under the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. This landmark agreement, signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on November 2, 2022, between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, marked a pivotal turning point, ending a two-year-long conflict that had caused severe humanitarian crises.
The Pretoria Agreement is the cornerstone of current stability in Ethiopia, stipulating the disarmament of combatants, the restoration of essential services, unimpeded humanitarian access, and the reintegration of the region into the federal system. Any breach of this agreement not only threatens the region's security but also undermines the months-long efforts of African and international mediation.
The risks of escalation and its impact on the Horn of Africa
In a related context, the Chairperson of the Commission called on all parties concerned to immediately refrain from any hostile acts or military movements that could undermine mutual trust. He stressed that the only solution to outstanding issues, including administrative border disputes and security arrangements, must be achieved exclusively through constructive dialogue and the mechanisms stipulated in the agreement, and not through the use of force.
This call is particularly important given Ethiopia's sensitive geopolitical position in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia's stability is a cornerstone of regional security, and any renewed tension in the north could have negative repercussions beyond Ethiopia's borders, affecting neighboring countries already grappling with complex security and political challenges.
The African Union's role in sustaining peace
The statement concluded by affirming the African Union's full readiness to expand its efforts in facilitating dialogue and cooperation between the conflicting parties. The Commission indicated its readiness to provide all forms of support to build trust and promote sustainable peace and stability in the Tigray region and throughout Ethiopia, emphasizing that African solutions to African problems remain the most effective way to ensure a secure and prosperous future for the peoples of the continent.
