ADDIS ABABA: Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed underscored that the Pretoria Agreement marks a cultural shift towards peaceful conflict resolution in Ethiopia. During the 36th regular session of the House of People’s Representatives today, Prime Minister Abiy highlighted that the agreement has resulted in a permanent ceasefire and the provision of essential services such as banks, airlines, and telecoms.
The Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF was signed in Pretoria, South Africa, on November 2, 2022.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, the peaceful resolution of the conflict was a result of a decision to end conflict through negotiation, marking a significant victory for the country. “We have started returning war-displaced citizens to their villages per the agreement—a crucial step,” he noted. Abiy appreciated the ongoing efforts to return internally displaced citizens to the Raya and Tselemt areas.
He also mentioned that some quarters are attempting to obstruct the endeavors to return displaced people to their homes and urged them to play a positive role. “The Pretoria Agreement needs to be carefully managed so that it does not backfire and no more people die. That is the way we are diligently working on. Most of the time, there are certainly forces that push toward conflict. We do not want conflict. We want to put our energy and time into development.”
The Prime Minister stressed that it is time to end this cycle of violence that Ethiopia has been facing for years. He noted that the reformist Government of Ethiopia made a bold decision to establish a new political culture by inviting exiled political forces and armed groups from the outset. “We reaffirm our commitment and say, let’s abandon extreme and polarized political practices. All should be the owners of the country. So, let’s work together.”
The government prioritizes peace and has been making significant efforts towards peaceful resolution. The Prime Minister noted that sustainable progress depends on peaceful dialogue and resolving issues without resorting to conflict.