Federal Police begins Protecting Public Institutions in Mekelle
Ethiopian Federal Police (EFP) have begun protecting federal institutions and facilities in Mekelle City as the African Union begins monitoring peace deal implementation in the Tigray region.
Members of the federal police entered the capital city of Tigray regional state on Thursday.
In a statement today, the EFP announced that it has begun discharging the responsibility of safeguarding federal facilities as per the Constitutional mandate assigned to the agency.
Its officers are now providing protection to institutions, such as airports, power stations, telecom installations, and banks.
The EFP assumed the responsibility on the same day the African Union negotiations team including the Special Envoy of the AU Olusegun Obasanjo arrived in Mekelle.
The team observes the launch of the African Union Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) of the cessation of hostilities agreement signed between the federal government and TPLF last month.
The launch of the mission is consistent with Article 11, Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance of the peace agreement, wherein the federal government and TPLF agreed to the establishment of this mechanism, according to the AU.
AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat has commended the Parties and the AU High-Level Panel for this significant step in the implementation of the peace deal.
The chairperson of AUC also “encourages them to continue with their efforts to restore peace, security, and stability in Ethiopia.”
The AU-JMVM team is composed of Major Gen Radina Stephen from Kenya, Col. Rufai Umer Mairiga from Nigeria, and Col. Tefo Sekole from South Africa.
The team will report the results of its mission to the committee established under the AU, according to Major Gen Radina.
On their first day on the job, the mission oversaw the handing over of government institutions in Mekelle city to the Federal Police.
The process was an important way to understand the implementation of the peace agreement, Radina states.
