After two years of fighting, the two warring nations of Ethiopia and Tigray decide to end it. Thousands of people died as a result of the war.
Both nations agree to conclude any hostilities carried out against one another. In addition to agreeing on “orderly, smooth and coordinated disarmament,” the countries also intend to reestablish the peace and order of their respective borders and reinvigorate basic social services, according to Olusegun Obasanjo, the representative of South Africa, who attended the meeting between Ethiopia and Tigray. And finally, all citizens of all nations should be given access to humanitarian supplies that have been blocked.
Lead Ethiopian negotiator Redwan Hussein stated that they would adhere to the agreement. Additionally, he expects the other party to “honor” the contract. Getachew Reda, the negotiator for Tigray, reiterated the same sentiments. Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of ending the ‘painful’ war. Redwan claims that the war marked its second year last Friday and caused an “immense level of destruction.”
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The Ethiopia-Tigray war
Eritrea, which supports Ethiopia in the conflict, must still react to the most recent development. The parties must ensure that Eritrea accepts the new conditions because it was excluded from the peace negotiations. Ethiopia and Tigray eagerly await the government’s response.
The neighboring Amhara region engages in conflict with Tigray forces along with Eritrea. Like Eritrea, Amhara did not participate in the peace negotiations, though. This makes things more difficult. The agreement’s effectiveness depends on how the parties to the protracted conflict accept its terms.
“Amharas cannot be expected to abide by any outcome of a negotiations process from which they think they are excluded,” said the Amhara Association of America chairman, Tewodrose Terfi.
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Giving the services again
The Tigrayan government is concerned about how soon its services, particularly its healthcare system, can be restored. The conflict exacerbated many illnesses and caused irreparable damage to the health system. Numerous healthcare facilities reportedly lack essential items like insulin, therapeutic supplements, and vaccines. In the meantime, many people have died from illnesses and starvation. United Nations human rights investigators, concluded as a result of this that the government of Ethiopia employed starvation as a weapon of war.
“We’re back to 18th-century surgery. It’s like an open-air prison. It entirely depends on what the government agrees to. If they genuinely give us access, we can start moving very quickly, in hours, not weeks,” said one source.
The conflict started in November 2020. At first, it was just Tigray and Ethiopia. But as the conflict dragged on, the tension spilled over and affected other areas, including Amhara and Afar. In two incidents in the middle of the war, drone attacks and bombs killed 101 civilians and injured 265 others. But eventually, the worst happened, and the nations yearned to reclaim their vitality. So the nations and surrounding areas should have a second chance to start over with the new agreement.
“We need to replicate the victory we got on the battlefield in peace efforts, too. So we are finalizing the war in northern Ethiopia with a victory. We will now bring peace and development,” said Ethiopia’s prime minister.
Photo Credit: AFP via Getty Images
Source: NPR
