The Eye Of The Tigray Wants Peace

 There appears to be an end in sight to the two-year conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region, where the country’s forces have been in battle with Tigray’s rebels. 

What’s the new development? 

The rebel group Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) has announced readiness to observe a ceasefire and participate in peace talks with the Ethiopian government. This comes after months of the group’s refusal to engage in talks, as it demanded the restoration of major services such as banking and communication to Tigray before any talks can hold, a condition that was rejected by the Ethiopian government. 

What changed? 

The group has reconsidered its stance on the proposed talks led by the African Union (AU). The TPLF rejected mediation attempts by the AU during previous negotiations, but this time, the insurgent group is willing to work with the intergovernmental organization. The news comes after TPLF and Ethiopian forces resumed armed conflicts following a months-long ceasefire earlier this year. “We are ready to abide by an immediate and mutually agreed cessation of hostilities in order to create a conducive atmosphere,” said one TPLF spokesperson. 

The process is being supported by the U.N., with Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calling on “all parties to seize this opportunity for peace and to take steps to end the violence definitively and opt for dialogue.”