From left: Getaches Reda, President of Tigray regional state interim administration, and PM Abiy Ahmed, pictured in Addis Abeba at an event recognizing stakeholders who played roles in ending the two years war. Photo: PMOAddis Abeba – In marking six months since the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Pretoria on 02 November last year, the U.S. commends the parties for the significant progress on COHA implementation but said “complete withdrawal of Eritrean and non-federal forces from the Tigray Region,” key to achieving sustainable peace. Although the Nairobi Declaration of the Executive Plan stated that “disarmament of heavy weapons will be done concurrently with the withdrawal of foreign and non-ENDF forces from Tigray, the whole Western Tigray and parts of Southern Tigray remained occupied by the Amhara forces, whereas Eritrean forces remained in parts of North-Western and Eastern Tigray where they are accused of continued atrocity crimes. Among the topics of the various talks confirmed to have taken place include discussions on modalities and rules of engagement to pave ways for broader negotiations, according to two sources who are familiar with the matter. One source described the atmosphere as “encouraging.” There has been no further information about the ongoing the talks.

Source: Ethiopian News May 03, 2023 15:35 UTC