Mekonnen: Tigray peace deal is Africa's greatest victory

Ethiopian and Tigrayan representatives signing the peace deal in South Africa. Source: Mail and Guardian.

ADDIS ABABA - The recent peace deal signed by Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF] and the government of Ethiopia is Africa's greatest victory, Deputy Prime Minister Demeke Mekonnen has said while appreciating both parties agreeing to embrace a ceasefire.

TPLF and the government of Ethiopia managed to agree on silencing the guns following a peace meeting that was signed in South Africa, with a follow-up meeting of army generals taking place in Nairobi. Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo and his Kenyan counterpart Uhuru Kenyatta were instrumental in the process.

While briefing staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mekonnen said the peace agreement was "Africa's proudest moment" which Ethiopians should be proud of. He said the government of Ethiopia is determined to restore peace and stability after two years of chaos.

The agreement was also made with Ethiopia’s steadfast commitment to the dictum “African solution to African problems,” according to the minister. “The agreement is an African victory that made Ethiopia proud and promised to bring lasting peace to the people,” he said.

Already, the government of Ethiopia has started facilitating access of humanitarian teams to the Tigray region following the agreement which asked Ethiopian National Defense Forces [ENDF] to drop blockades that had been imposed throughout the two-year stalemate.

The FDRE President Sahlework Zewde called on Ethiopians to strive for national allegiance, devotion, and jingoism anywhere, anytime, state-owned Fana reports.

President Sahle-Work Zewde and former President Mulatu Teshome visited the ongoing training for senior and new diplomats at the African Leadership Excellence Academy and shared their experience and expertise.

She stressed that Ethiopians should strive for national devotion, allegiance, and jingoism as they serve their country.

President Sahle-Work also emphasized it is crucial to empower women in diplomatic missions by implementing inclusive work cultures.

The United States and a number of international partners have vowed to punish parties that might tend to sabotage the implementation of the peace deal. TPLF has asked Ethiopia to ensure Eritrean troops are withdrawn for the purpose of smooth implementation of the agreement.

GAROWE ONLINE