The Africa Union (AU) is pleased with the milestone achievements attained with the full implementation of the Pretoria peace agreement for lasting peace in Ethiopia, AU Political Affairs, Peace & Security Commissioner, Bankole Adeoye said.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ambassador Bakole said that the Africa Union welcomes the steps made by both the federal government and TPLF.
“We, the African Union, are very pleased with the steps and milestones, which have been achieved by the parties with the full implementation of the Pretoria agreement on lasting peace through cessation of hostilities on the Northern Ethiopia. We welcome the steps, which have been made; and the African Union Commission has been mobilizing partners to support the implementation of the DDR process, particularly in relation to disarmament demobilization, and reintegration,” he appreciated.
The commissioner added that some 12 African observers are presently in Mekell to monitor the ceasefire and verify the compliance of the peace process and are doing a good job.
“Most importantly, we also welcome the recent appointments of the interim administrator for the Tigray region. We look forward to peace in Ethiopia and as the African Union, we salute the leadership of his excellency, Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, as well as the Chairperson of the Africa Union Commission, his excellency Moussa Faki Mahamat and the high level panel; for the job they are doing in monitoring the peace in Ethiopia. It is important that the Africa we want also is Ethiopia at peace,” the Commissioner underscored.
The Pretoria peace agreement and the ongoing implementation depicts that Africa can solve its problems by itself, he emphasized.
“African solutions to African problems is mostly demonstrated symbolically, in actual, in reality, by the success so far of the peace agreement signed in Pretoria, South Africa. We are sure and encourage and indeed inspired by this strides been made through the Ethiopian peace process, and we want to replicate it. We want to put forward lessons learned,”Ambassador Bakole stressed.
The AU is working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ethiopia to put together the lessons learned that will be shared with other conflict zones, he said, adding “so that we can all learn from Ethiopia in terms of implementation of the ceasefire, in terms of DDR, in terms of the political dialogue and most importantly, reconciliation and dialogue.”
Speaking of consultations that Ethiopia is undertaking with pertinent stakeholder on developing transitional justice policy, Political Affairs, Peace & Security Commissioner noted: “we welcome that (consultations on transitional justice); we indeed are working together with the Ministry of Justice on the policy for transitional justice.”
Bakole stated that AU is pleased that transitional justice and accountability issues remain high on the agenda.
It is to be recalled that basic services including telecom, flight, electricity and other services have been resumed following the peace deal. And recently, the Ministry of Education is making all-round preparations to resume general education including in four universities in Tigray region and similarly Ministry of Logistics and Transport is making efforts to restore road transport service to the region.
Source: Ethiopian News Agency