The EU welcomed, on the evening of Wednesday 2 November, the ceasefire agreement reached the same day in Pretoria between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray rebels as a step towards peace, while insisting on the implementation of this agreement concluded under the mediation of the African Union High Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo.
“The EU welcomes the announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities and congratulates both the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front for their commitment and courage towards peace. The EU commends the African Union mediation and its observers, as well as the South African host, and reaffirms its readiness to support peace efforts moving forward in a process owned and led by Ethiopians”, according to a statement issued by the head of European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the EU27.
Stressing the need for rapid implementation, he recalled that the “priority is to resume humanitarian access in all affected areas and to restore basic services, in particular in Tigray”.
He added that “further negotiations are encouraged to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement and launch broader political talks” (see EUROPE 13044/15).
Fighting had resumed in August after an unsuccessful truce. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)