ETHIOPIA, December 30, 2022- AFRICAN UNION MONITORING, VERIFICATION AND COMPLIANCE MECHANISM MISSION LAUNCHED IN MEKELLE, TIGRAY REGION, ETHIOPIA.
Former President of the Republic of Kenya H.E Uhuru Kenyatta together with the African Union High-Level panel led by former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and High Representative for the Horn of Africa H.E Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday officially launched the joint African Union Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mechanism (MVCM) in Mekelle, Tigray region, Ethiopia.
The joint mission to be led by Maj. Gen. Stephen Radina from Kenya was formed as part of the signed implementation deal between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) finalized in Nairobi on 22nd December 2022. Other appointed members to the mission include Colonel Rufai Umar Mairiga (Nigeria) and Colonel Teffo Sekole (South Africa).
The three-member mission formed by the African Union is tasked with the responsibility of monitoring, verifying, and enforcing the November peace agreement.
In his opening remarks, H.E Uhuru Kenyatta commended the Tigray group and the Ethiopian government for their continued commitment to the implementation of the signed peace deal in Pretoria. On the same note, he underscored the need for both parties to continue building trust in each other in support of the process.
On his part, the former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria H.E Olusegun Obasanjo commended the people of Ethiopia for embracing the peace agreement and owning the implementation process. He also appreciated the partners for the role played in the process noting the need for Africa for finding African solutions to African problems.
Speaking on behalf of the Federal Government of Ethiopia, the minister of Justice Gideon Timothewos re-assured the panel of the government’s commitment to the ongoing AU- led peace process. He recorded that the government has restored essential services in the region among them banking, telecommunication services and the resumption of electricity to the National grid.
The Representative of the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) Getachew Reda recorded progress since the signing of the peace pact, saying they are committed to the full implementation of the agreement. He stressed the need to lay the conflict to rest to enable Ethiopians to rebuild their communities. He added that no spoiler should not be allowed to get into the way to prevent Ethiopians from rebuilding their communities.
The panel wished the verification team success expressing optimism to the next meeting in Addis in the new year for the launch of the Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration (DDR) process.
Other partners present at the launch included religious leaders, and diplomatic corps drawn from the African Union, United Nations and the The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
Discussion about this post