Warring parties in Ethiopia agree on cessation of hostilities
Bishwesh Wolde Giorgis
August 13, 2018 15:57
On August 6, 2019, a landmark agreement was reached between warring parties of the former Federal Government of Ethiopia over the cessation of hostilities for three and a half years in Ethiopia, where two sides have been fighting over the past three decades. The agreement was signed by the then-chief of Ethiopian Defence Forces, General Selemayehu Haile Mariam, and the then-Ethiopian President, Abiy Ahmed. The agreement also covers the demobilization of soldiers from the two sides.
The agreement was signed prior to President Abiy’s visit to Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, where he made his first official visit as the ‘African Union Chair’. He met with Addis Ababa Mayor, Awram Musa Tawfeeq, and some other representatives of the city. The visit followed a series of visits he made to a number of cities across the country, including Addis Ababa, the provincial capitals, and Mekele.
During the visit, President Abiy announced that he was going to extend the period of the cessation of hostilities for 12 months, starting from the month of July 2020. He also vowed to hold more elections across the country and urged all parties to end the war.
The agreement provides for amnesty for those who surrendered or joined the peace process in a peaceful manner. It also provides for reparation to the Ethiopian people for the suffering caused during this period. The agreement also covers the demobilization of Ethiopian soldiers. After demobilization, it stipulates that ex-soldiers must rejoin the peace process and follow its principles.
The agreement is signed by Ethiopia and Eritrea as well, and both parties are considered as parties to the agreement. It is also signed by the then-Vice President of Ethiopia, Prime Minister Awass Wolde Adada, and the then-President of Eritrea, Isaias Afewerki. They were accompanied by the then-representatives of both parties: The Prime Minister of Eritrea, Osman
