AU Deploys its Full Peace Deal Monitoring Team in Tigray
ADDIS ABABA – The African Union has completed deploying a team tasked with monitoring the implementation of the peace agreement in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray.
The Union “has successfully deployed the full team of the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) in Mekelle,” said the pan-African bloc on Thursday.
The full deployment comes a week after the launch of the mission in Mekelle in the presence of the AU envoys that brokered the peace agreement to end the conflict in northern Ethiopia.
The deployment of African experts is consistent with the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) signed between the Federal government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) on November 2, 2022, the AU says.
As per Article 11 of the COHA, the parties agree to appoint, through the AU High-Level Panel, a team of African experts to monitor the implementation of the permanent cessation of hostilities.
While announcing the deployment, the AU Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki Mahamat, “once again commends the Parties for the continued positive confidence-building measures since the signing of the Permanent COHA”.
He has also congratulated them for their cooperation and collaboration with the AU MVCM since the launch of the Mission on 29 December 2022.
The Chairperson further encourages the Parties to continue these significant steps towards the successful implementation of the COHA in efforts to restore peace, security, and stability in Ethiopia.
The AU Commission expresses its gratitude to the Federal government of Ethiopia and TPLF for their commitment to the spirit of African Solutions to African Problems while extending its appreciation to Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, as well as partners, for their continued support for the AU-led process.
