The European Union (EU) and its Member States congratulate the Government of Ethiopia (GoE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) for signing the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities (CoHA) and for the subsequent Declaration of the Senior Commanders on the Modalities for the Implementation of the CoHA. The EU also commends the African Union High-Level Panel for a successful mediation that led to these agreements, which represent an important step towards peace and reconciliation in Ethiopia.
Implementing the CoHA requires strong leadership as well as a robust and sustainable monitoring mechanism, to ensure, among other things, that the cessation of hostilities is respected by all sides, paving the way for recovery, reconstruction and reconciliation. The EU welcomes the progress already made since the signing of the CoHA and stands ready to support the implementation of the agreement.
Massive humanitarian needs in northern Ethiopia, as well as other parts of the country, require an adequate and well-coordinated response. The urgent needs of the populations affected by the conflict must be met. To this end, unimpeded humanitarian access to all in need and the full restoration of basic services in all areas are critical. Furthermore, the EU recalls the importance of an active, constructive and effective cooperation with national and international human rights mechanisms.
Throughout the conflict, the EU has continued its support to the Ethiopian population with development assistance and humanitarian aid. The sustained implementation of the CoHA enables the EU to resume its strategic engagement with Ethiopia, including through political dialogue. Concrete progress on the implementation of the ceasefire, unimpeded humanitarian access, and accountability for International Humanitarian Law and human rights violations and abuses, will allow the gradual reestablishment of the full spectrum of EU’s development cooperation and economic support.
Ethiopia’s overall stability, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as peaceful development are key for the region and for the EU. The EU strongly calls on Ethiopia’s regional neighbours to constructively contribute to the full implementation of the CoHA. In this context, while underlining the importance of the 2000 Algiers Agreement and the 2018 Peace Declaration between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the EU reiterates its call for an immediate and complete withdrawal of Eritrean troops from Ethiopia.
Source: Consilium
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