On the first anniversary of the permanent cessation of hostilities agreement reached in Pretoria between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the EU reaffirmed on Thursday 2 November that the normalisation of its relations with the Horn of Africa country requires further progress in terms of accountability, justice and human rights.
“The courageous commitment to peace demonstrated by all parties at the time should remain unabated. Continued support by the African Union for the Pretoria agreement is needed”, stressed the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, in a statement issued on behalf of the EU27.
In April, the EU agreed to the gradual normalisation of its relations with Ethiopia, subject to the sustained implementation of the agreement (see EUROPE 13168/2). “The government of Ethiopia must ensure that the future policy meets regional and international human rights standards. This includes the establishment of robust independent, impartial and transparent mechanisms to implement the transitional justice policy, preserve evidence, conduct investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, and prosecute those responsible”, explains Mr Borrell.
The High Representative also stresses the importance of “a local structured dialogue with the government of Ethiopia [...] to move on the normalisation of relations and for the implementation of the Multiannual Indicative Programme” of €650 million signed at the beginning of October to relaunch EU-Ethiopia development cooperation (see EUROPE 13263/3).
“For the national dialogue and transitional justice process to have any chance of success, a conducive environment across the country is paramount”, insists Mr Borrell. The EU reiterates its concerns about the various conflicts in the country, the state of emergency and persistent reports of human rights violations, and calls for a cessation of hostilities. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)