Uhuru: We are almost solving Tigray conflict

NAIROBI, Kenya - The two-year-old conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia could be effectively solved after days of negotiations, former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has hinted, just as the teams resumed the second phase of meetings in Nairobi, which were attended by all parties.

The African Union has been facilitating dialogue between the warring sides and the first one culminated in the signing of an agreement last week in Pretoria South Africa. Both parties agreed to embrace a ceasefire and pave way for an amicable solution to the conflict.

At Nairobi on Monday, Uhuru, a key factor in the negotiations with AU special envoy to the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo, said the process is inching closer, adding that the responses from either side were encouraging, a clear indication that the team will solve problems bedeviling them.

According to Uhuru, who has been pushing for a solid army and disarmament of the Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF], the next round of talks will be held in Mekelle, the regional administrative capital of Tigray before the final phase is concluded at Addis Ababa.

“We started in Pretoria, we are inching our way closer and are now in Nairobi, we are very hopeful that next time we will be in Mekelle for our meeting and ultimately celebrate together in Addis Ababa. This is the prayer, hope and it is what we seek,” former President Uhuru Kenyatta said.

Since last Wednesday, several groups in Tigray have been accusing TPLF of securing a raw deal but those responsible for the talks have remained mum. For instance, Getachew Reda, the spokesperson of TPLF, has not commented on the latest progress despite being vocal in previous outings.

The milestone made last week has attracted accolades from several governments and people of that goodwill across the world. Among those who have supported the preliminary agreement include the Head of the Catholic Church Pope Francis who asked the world to continue praying for him.

"The signing of the agreement regarding the situation in Ethiopia is a source of hope. Let us support this commitment to lasting peace. And let us continue to pray for war-torn Ukraine. May that war might come to an end, " said Pope Francis, who has been preaching peace.

GAROWE ONLINE