Pretoria: The Pretoria Peace Agreement, signed in South Africa under the auspices of the African Union, serves as a significant example, illustrating that Africans can effectively address their peace and security challenges by seeking solutions rooted in their own context.
According to Ethiopian News Agency, this remark was made at a meeting held today to launch the implementation report of the Pretoria Peace Agreement. The African Union, which has been tracking the implementation of the agreement through collaboration between the High-Level Panel, the Joint Committee, and the Monitoring Verification and Compliance Mission, convened a meeting today.
The meeting, calumniated by a launch of a report on the implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, was attended by outgoing AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and member of the AU Panel of the Ethiopia Peace Process Olusegun Obasanjo, Ethiopia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Gedion Timotheos, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security Bankole Adeoye.
Former Deputy President South Africa and member of the AU Panel of the Wise Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, leadership of the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) including Tigray Interim Administration Head Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael were also present at the meeting.
On the occasion, Ambassador Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security presented key lessons learned from the AU-led Peace process in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Some of the significant lessons gained from the AU-led Peace process in the Tigray region of Ethiopia include the importance of fostering ownership, choosing appropriate mediators, engaging with the media, involving observers, securing funding for the mediation efforts, selecting suitable venues for mediation events, and utilizing the capabilities of focal persons.
The Commissioner said the Pretoria Peace Agreement demonstrated the fact that the existing challenges of peace and security in the continent could effectively be addressed through African solutions. Foreign Affairs Minister Gedion said on the occasion that the Pretoria Peace Agreement demonstrates not only the commitment of Ethiopian government for peace but also affirmed the capability of the continent in addressing African challenges through African solutions.
The Foreign Minister has also reiterated the strong commitment of the government to the effective implementation of the agreement noting the various activities being carried out in this regard. The rehabilitation training being provided to former combatants and humanitarian support has been mentioned as key success of the implementation of the agreement.
Head of Tigray Regional State Interim Administration, Getachew Reda, expressed that the Pretoria Peace Agreement has facilitated a pathway for the people of Tigray to achieve peace and has contributed to the development of African solutions for African problems.