Ethiopian Government and Tigray Interim Administration Reach Agreement on Timeline to Resolve Impasse

The Ethiopian government and the Tigray Interim Administration have reached a significant agreement on a timeline to address the ongoing impasse in the southern and western Tigray zones. Lt. General Tadesse Werede, Vice President of the Tigray Interim Administration, announced that the agreement aims to resolve the issues in the southern Tigray zone by June 2024 and in the western Tigray zone by July 2024.

Why this matters: The resolution of the impasse in the Tigray region has significant implications for regional stability and humanitarian efforts, as it affects the lives of thousands of internally displaced civilians. A successful agreement could also set a precedent for conflict resolution in other regions, promoting peaceful coexistence and respect for human rights.

The agreement, which involves the Ethiopian National Defense Forces (ENDF), highlights the commitment of both the federal government and the Tigray Interim Administration to find a lasting solution to the impasse. A key aspect of the agreement is ensuring the safe return of 50,000 internally displaced civilians who have been affected by the conflict in the Tigray region.

The international community closely monitors the implementation of the agreement and the progress made in resolving the impasse, with the European Union (EU) having announced its intention to present a resolution at the Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE). Josep Borrell, High Representative and Vice-President of the EU, expressed the EU's concern over the"gravity and scale of human rights violations and abuses"perpetrated by all parties to the conflict.

Borrell emphasized the importance of investigating these allegations and ensuring accountability, stating, "There will be no durable peace, no reconciliation, without justice for the victims." The ICHREE was created by the UN Human Rights Council on December 17, 2021, to investigate allegations of human rights violations and abuses in Ethiopia committed since November 3, 2020.

The commission's mandate includes investigating war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by all parties to the conflict. However, the Ethiopian government has opposed the appointment of the ICHREE experts and, in April, voted to block UN funding for the commission, although unsuccessfully. Ethiopia has accused the experts of "weaponizing human rights for political pressure."

In its first report, delivered to the UN Human Rights Council's 51st regular session on September 22, ICHREE found reasonable grounds to believe that war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed by warring parties in Ethiopia's war. The report outlined gross human rights violations committed against civilians, including Eritrean refugees, by various parties to the conflict.

The agreement between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray Interim Administration is a positive step towards achieving lasting peace and stability in the region. However, the renewal of the ICHREE mandate and the commission's findings highlight the need for continued international attention and efforts to address the human rights situation in Ethiopia. It is essential that all parties to the conflict prioritize the protection of civilians, respect for human rights, and the safe return of internally displaced persons.

The situation in the Tigray region serves as a harsh illustration of the devastating impact of armed conflict on civilians and the importance of holding perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable. The international community must continue to support efforts to bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict and ensure that the voices of victims are heard and their rights are protected.

Key Takeaways

• Ethiopian government and Tigray Interim Administration agree on timeline to resolve impasse in southern and western Tigray zones.
• Agreement aims to resolve issues by June 2024 (southern) and July 2024 (western) and ensure safe return of 50,000 internally displaced civilians.
• EU to present resolution to renew mandate of International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE) to investigate human rights abuses.
• ICHREE found reasonable grounds to believe war crimes and crimes against humanity were committed by warring parties in Ethiopia's war.
• International community urged to support peaceful resolution and hold perpetrators of human rights abuses accountable.