Tigrayan forces say ready to accept an AU-led peace process in Ethiopia By Reuters

NAIROBI (Reuters) -Forces in northern Ethiopia’s Tigray area which were combating the central authorities for almost two years stated on Sunday they’re prepared for a ceasefire and would settle for an African Union-led peace course of.

“We’re able to abide by a right away and mutually agreed cessation of hostilities,” the Tigrayan forces stated in a press release.

Tigray has arrange a negotiation workforce that is able to be deployed “at once”, the assertion stated. The Ethiopian federal authorities stated in June that the African Union (AU) ought to facilitate peace talks.

Ethiopian authorities spokesperson Legesse Tulu didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The federal government has beforehand stated it’s keen to enter talks with out preconditions.

The United Nations is able to help the AU-led peace course of, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated in a press release.

U.N. Secretary-Common Antonio Guterres “calls on the events to grab this chance for peace and to take steps to finish the violence definitively and go for dialogue”, Dujarric stated.

Tigrayan forces have been at battle with the Ethiopian federal authorities since November 2020. The Tigrayan forces have accused Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of centralizing energy on the expense of Ethiopia’s areas, which Abiy has denied.

Abiy has accused the Tigrayan forces – led by the Tigray Individuals’s Liberation Entrance (TPLF) which used to dominate nationwide politics – of attempting to reclaim energy, which they’ve denied.

“The subsequent step is to finalize a complete negotiated ceasefire and an all-inclusive political dialogue to resolve points underlying the present battle,” the Tigrayan assertion stated. It stated the negotiation workforce contains Getachew Reda, the spokesperson for the TPLF, and Common Tsadkan Gebretinsae.

The TPLF has beforehand stated it needed free entry for humanitarian support and companies reminiscent of banking and phone hyperlinks restored earlier than beginning talks.

The battle in northern Ethiopia has displaced thousands and thousands and killed 1000’s. Combating re-erupted there final month following a months-long ceasefire.