Ethiopian map - (Photo: Courtesy).

The parties in the recently signed Ethiopian peace agreement have agreed to the restoration of federal authority in the Tigray region including control of federal institutions and agencies.

Last week, the Ethiopian government and former Tigray regional government officials signed a peace agreement in South Africa – to end the two-year conflict in the country.

The talks mediated by former Nigerian President Olusegun Abasanjo and former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has recognized both the federal government as the legitimate government and the national army as the only defense force in the country.

The parties to the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front or TPLF agreed to the restoration of federal authority in the Tigray region including control of federal institutions and agencies.

They also agreed that the federal government of Ethiopia will facilitate the lifting of the terrorist designation of the TPLF by the House of People’s Representatives.

The agreement states that the federal government shall ensure and facilitate the representation of the Tigray region in the federal institutions.

These include the House of Federation and House of People’s Representatives in accordance with the constitution and applicable laws.

The agreement says the federal army, police, and other federal security organs shall be deployed along the international boundaries of Ethiopia, including effective control of airspace, aviation safety, and security.

It called for permanent cessation of hostilities which shall include the cessation of all forms of hostile propaganda, rhetoric, and hate speech.

The parties called for comprehensive disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration of Tigray fighters including the disarmament of heavy armaments of the TPLF fighters.

They have agreed to finalize the overall disarmament of the TPLF fighters including light weapons within 30 days of the signing of the agreement.

It says the parties agree that the government will expedite the provision of humanitarian aid in collaboration with humanitarian agencies.

They agree that a week after confidence-building, the parties shall start a political dialogue to find a lasting solution to the underlying political differences between them.

It says the government shall then implement a comprehensive national transitional justice policy aimed at accountability, ascertaining the truth, and redress for victims.

It also called for reconciliation, and healing, consistent with the constitution and African Union transitional justice policy framework.

The African Union-negotiated peace agreement was signed in Pretoria, South Africa on November 2, 2022.

The negotiation was mediated by the African Union High-Level Panel led by former Nigerian President Olusegun Abasanjo, supported by former Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta and former Deputy President of South Africa, Dr. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka including observers from western Countries.