Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Addis Ababa (Agenzia Fides) - Yesterday, November 7, 2022, a new round of talks began in Nairobi between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the rebels of the Tigray region: representatives of the military command of the Ethiopian Army (ENDF) and the Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) met to discuss the implementation of the peace process launched in South Africa (see Fides, 3/11/2022).
The meeting in Kenya was attended by Ethiopian Army Chief of Staff Berhanu Jula and Tigray Region Rebel Force Chief of Staff Tadesse Worede. The Ethiopian security advisor to Prime Minister Abiy and chief negotiator of the Ethiopian federal government, Redwan Hussien, stated that the direct contact started in Nairobi can facilitate a speedy implementation of the peace agreement.
Meanwhile, he also spoke of a third party that had violated Ethiopia's integrity and "may not be interested in the peace process". This statement has been linked by various observers to the strong presence of Eritrean troops in the country. A largely unconsidered factor in the peace process is the strong presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray, while criticism of the agreement is growing both within the region itself and among diaspora and opposition parties. In the past few days, artillery attacks have been reported by the Eritrean armed forces in the area of Adigrat. There is the seat of the Catholic Eparchy, where Bishop Tesfaselassie Medhin is still present.
It is still unclear how the Eritrean troops could be withdrawn and which alliances could result for the implementation of the articles of the agreement on respecting Ethiopia's sovereignty, territorial integrity and unity. (GF) (Agenzia Fides, 8/11/2022)
