Peace at Last, Belligerents of theTigray War Sign Peace Treaty
The chief negotiators on both sides, Redwan Hussein (Ethiopia) and Getachew Reda (Tigray), shake hands after signing the peace treaty in Pretoria, South Africa. Photo: Themba Hadebe/AP Newsroom
The Ethiopian Federal Government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) agreed to peace terms yesterday morning, ending the Tigray War, African Union officials report. The conflict has killed up to half a million people and left over 2.3 million in need of assistance.
The resolution occurred in South Africa after ten days of negotiation. A joint statement by the two sides said, “We have agreed to permanently silence the guns and end the two years of conflict in northern Ethiopia.”
Before yesterday, the conflict was the largest and most deadly in the world. The treaty sought to stabilise the region, but also to repair the major humanitarian scars of the fighting. Due to the war, more than one-fifth of Ethiopia’s population requires humanitarian care, 2.7 million children are out of school, and healthcare quality is plummeting.
The joint statement included details of the treaty, which guaranteed Tigrayan access to supplies as well as foreign and domestic aid, a disarmament clause regarding guerilla fighters, and federal control of Tigray through a command outpost.
Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, labelled the deal as “monumental” and claimed that “Ethiopia has prevailed.” He has advertised the deal as part of his reforms to Ethiopia at-large, and as a victory for his increase of centralisation.
In its statement, the TPLF delegation emphasised how important it was that the repairing of supply lines and access to humanitarian aid would finally aid the people of Tigray in their desolate conditions. “The war over the last two years has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and has caused tremendous suffering to the people of Tigray.”
Protests in Pretoria, South Africa, urging the warring parties to make peace. Photo: Themba Hadebe/ AP Newsroom
The United States and African Union were of the utmost importance in establishing peace. The U.S. had been the primary mediator of the ceasefire in June and its diplomats have been in constant communication with all parties involved, even threatening Ethiopia with sanctions unless the violence stopped.
Ned Price, Spokesman for the State Department of the United States, remarked, “The African Union’s announcement of the signing of a cessation of hostilities between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front represents an important step towards peace.”
The African Union led the way for negotiations by reasoning with both sides, setting up the conference, and appointing the mediators who were finally successful. Uhuru Kenyatta, the former President of Kenya and facilitator of the talks, noted, “The lasting solution can only be through political engagement and being able to accommodate our differences, our diversity, while still remaining a united Ethiopia. It’s my hope that all parties will go back and … begin the process of dialogue. The lasting solution can only be dialogue.”
Even though the treaty has been signed, political analysts note that the international community must maintain caution. Eritrea, Ethiopia’s principal ally throughout the war, may still cause issues. They received no representation at the negotiations and the autocratic leader of the country, Isaias Afwerki, has been in stark opposition to the TPLF his whole reign.
It is unclear if he will sign the treaty and withdraw his troops from the region. Also, given the often decentralised nature of Tigrayan troops, aggressions could still resurface. The next few weeks will be a crucial test in determining if peace can last.