World and regional leaders welcome the peace agreement, stressing this is the first step to end the bloody war.
Regional and world leaders have hailed the peace agreement between Ethiopia’s government and Tigray rebels signed on Wednesday, raising hopes for millions of people displaced by nearly two years of deadly war.
Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, the African Union mediator, said the agreement marked a new “dawn” for Ethiopia.
The war, which broke out in November 2020, has pitted regional forces from Tigray against Ethiopia’s federal army and its allies, which include forces from other regions and neighbouring Eritrea. It has killed thousands of people, displaced millions from their homes and left hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine.
Abiy Ahmed, Ethiopia prime minister
“The agreement signed today in South Africa is monumental in moving Ethiopia forward on the path of the reforms we embarked upon four and a half years ago.
“Our commitment to peace remains steadfast. And our commitment to collaborating for the implementation of the agreement is equally strong.”
Olusegun Obasanjo, head of the African Union mediation team
“The two parties in the Ethiopian conflict have formally agreed to the cessation of hostilities as well as to systematic, orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament.
“This moment is not the end of the peace process. Implementation of the peace agreement signed today is critical for its success.”
Getachew Reda, the head of the Tigray delegation
“Making peace has proved more difficult and more intractable and elusive than presiding over the killing of women and children and destruction of property.
“The war over the last two years has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands and has turned Ethiopia, once on the cusp of great economic progress, into a bad parody of itself and caused tremendous suffering to the people of Tigray.”
Ned Price, US Department of State spokesman
“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.”
Stephane Dujarric, United Nations spokesman
“It is very much a welcome first step, which we hope can start to bring some solace to the millions of Ethiopian civilians that have really suffered during this conflict.”
