(Security): Peace talks on Ethiopia-Tigray Region in South Africa extended

Discussions between Ethiopia’s federal government and representatives of Tigray fighters (TPLF) were allegedly extended into Monday in South Africa, according to an official familiar with the arrangements for the talks.

The Tigray War is an ongoing civil war that began on 3 November 2020 in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia. The war is primarily being fought by the Ethiopian federal government and Eritrea on one side, and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on the other.

The African Union-led exchanges seek a cessation of hostilities. In addition to former Nigerian president Obasanjo, who represents the AU in the Horn of Africa, and former Kenyan leader Kenyatta, the mediation team also includes former South African vice president Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.

Obasanjo and Kenyatta

The internationally watched negotiations began on October 25, 2022 and were due to end Sunday, October 30, 2022. It is the first public dialogue between the warring sides since the conflict erupted in November 2020.

No information has been released about the content of the talks held inside the Department of International Relations and Cooperation in Pretoria, South Africa. It makes it more difficult to assess progress.

What is extremely sad is, the deadly conflict plunged northern Ethiopia into a humanitarian crisis for many months. And after a five-month truce, the fighting resumed in August, 2022.