Ethiopia-Tigray peace talks begin in South Africa

Huge gathering built up at Meskel square, a central boulevard, in Addis Ababa to condemn the Tigray People’s Liberation Front fighting for a comeback after it was deposed in 2018 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on July 22,2021 [Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu Agency]

Peace talks between Ethiopia’s government and Tigray rebels to end a devastating conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region began Tuesday in South Africa, according to a presidency spokesman, Anadolu News Agency reports.

South Africa hopes the talks will proceed constructively and result in a successful outcome that leads to lasting peace for all Ethiopians, Vincent Magwenya told reporters.

The African Union-led (AU) talks come weeks after clashes intensified between government forces and Tigray fighters.

The talks are being facilitated by a panel led by former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, who is the AU’s High Representative for the Horn of Africa.

Other members are Kenya’s former President, Uhuru Kenyatta, and Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, a former deputy President of South Africa.

READ: Ethiopia says African Union’s mediation only avenue for talks with Tigray rebels

The talks are expected to end a nearly two-year conflict that has killed thousands and displaced millions more since November 2020.

There has been intense fighting in the northern region since a months-long truce was shattered in late August, with reports of mass casualties and other rights violations.

A report released by UN rights experts last month accused both sides of committing abuses that border on war crimes and crimes against humanity.

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