November 2, 2022 (DJIBOUTI, Djibouti): The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, congratulates the Government of Ethiopia and Tigrean People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Pretoria this evening.
“By signing this agreement to silence the guns and end the armed conflict, the people of Ethiopia now have the opportunity to establish a long-lasting peace”, the Executive Secretary said at the signing ceremony in Pretoria.
Dr Workneh commended the leadership and commitment of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his Government to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict. He also commended the important role of the African Union (AU), especially the role played by H.E. Moussa Faki, H.E Olesugun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria, H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta, the former president of Kenya, and H.E. Phumzile Mambo-Ngcuks, former deputy president of South Africa in facilitating the talks and congratulated the team of negotiators from both sides for conducting the dialogue in a responsible manner.
Dr Workneh further thanked the Government of the Republic of South Africa for graciously hosting the talks.
The Executive Secretary encourages all parties to the agreement to live up to their commitments in implementing all its provisions.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development has consistently called for a political solution to the conflict and played an active role in the mediation process and back-channel diplomacy through the IGAD Assembly of the Heads of State and Government.
