Ceasefire in Ethiopia: Peace after two years of war?

The war has worn the people of northern Ethiopia down – hundreds of thousands have been killed. A ceasefire between the central government and the Tigray rebels should end the suffering. But can it lead to peace?

The negotiator was extremely satisfied. “Today, Ethiopia is on the verge of a new beginning. And with it the Horn of Africa and the entire continent,” said former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. For days he had chaired talks between representatives of the Ethiopian government and the so-called People’s Liberation Front of Tigray TPLF. Now he could announce: They were successful – at least partially.

The parties agreed on a ceasefire. That could be the start of a peace process, said TPLF spokesman Getachew Reda. But he didn’t seem to believe that the two-year civil war could really be over.

“We are here to sign an agreement to see if peace is possible,” he said. “It will be a relief for the people of Tigray and for the entire Ethiopian people. It is my hope and expectation that both parties will do their utmost to implement the agreements.”

people are hungry

The war has worn the people of northern Ethiopia down. Hundreds of thousands are estimated to have been killed. Most of them civilians. People are starving because food deliveries are not getting through. There is also a lack of important medicines. The hospitals can no longer care for their patients.

Therefore, one point of the agreement will be particularly important, which the representative of the Ethiopian government Redwan Hussein presented: “We have agreed that the government will expand its cooperation with aid organizations in order to reach everyone who needs support.”

Possible war crimes

However, one war party was missing from the talks in South Africa: neighboring Eritrea. His soldiers had fought alongside the Ethiopian army against the TPLF. They are said to have acted brutally against the civilian population.

UN reports as well as witness interviews by human rights organizations show that all parties involved in the conflict are committing possible war crimes. There is talk of torture, mass executions and, again and again, sexual violence.

A lot has to be worked out

Amnesty International had therefore called for comprehensive investigations last week. “Human rights have been violated in a shocking manner in this conflict,” said Fisseha Tekle of the organization. “If you look at the atrocities, they are punishable under international law.”

Much has to be worked through after two years of civil war. The handshake to applause in South Africa will therefore only be a first step. “Signing an agreement is one thing. Sticking to it is something completely different,” said TPLF representative Getachew Reda. In order to achieve lasting peace, all parties must remain in dialogue – and also involve Eritrea.