By CARA ANNA, Associated Press
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — An official familiar with the Ethiopian peace talks said the copy of the “permanent cessation of hostilities” agreement obtained by The Associated Press with details on the disarmament of Tigray forces and control federal of the Tigray region is the signed and last copy.
The official spoke on condition of anonymity on Thursday, a day after the deal was announced, as they were not authorized to speak publicly. Enormous challenges await us in implementing the agreement, including getting all parties to lay down their arms or withdraw.
The agreement stipulates that the Tigray forces will be disarmed, starting with “small arms” within 30 days of Wednesday’s signing, and that the Ethiopian federal security forces will take full control of “all installations, installations and major federal infrastructure such as airports and highways in Tigray”. Region.”
The final, detailed agreement has not been made public, but the brief joint statement read out by the warring parties on Wednesday night notes “a detailed program of disarmament” and “the restoration of constitutional order” in Tigray.
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The war in Africa’s second most populous country, which marks two years on Friday, has seen documented abuses on both sides, with millions displaced and many near starvation.
On Thursday, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed affirmed during a visit to southern Ethiopia that his government’s proposal to the talks had been fully accepted and that the government was ready to “open our hearts” for peace to prevail. . He also said that the issue of disputed areas will only be resolved through the law of the land and negotiations.
Ethiopian media have stopped using the word “terrorist” to refer to authorities and forces in Tigray. The country is holding a memorial event on Thursday for some victims of the conflict.
Inside Tigray, a humanitarian source in the town of Shire said there was no sound of gunfire, as in recent days, and a “blockade” of the movement of people and vehicles was still in place. Like many inside Tigray, the source spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals.
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