NAIROBI (KENYA) – Forces in Ethiopia’s Tigray who are fighting the federal troops, laid out eight conditions on Friday as a prerequisite to begin peace talks. They include the appointment of an international mediator and unhindered humanitarian aid.
In the wake of regional forces attacking federal army bases in the region on November 4, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered air strikes and a ground offensive against the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party in the region.
Less than a month later, Abiy declared victory after the TPLF retreated from the regional capital, Mekelle, and other major towns. However, sporadic fighting is still going on. Some senior TPLF members remain at large, though the federal government has captured or killed a number of former officials.
The conditions for joining peace talks were outlined by TPLF spokeswoman Liya Kassa in a statement on the Facebook page of Dimtsi Weyane TV, which is owned by the party.
During the heights of the conflict in November, the government said it would not engage in peace talks until the rule of law was established. After declaring victory that month, it said it was focussed on apprehending senior members of the TPLF who are absconding.
One of the demands is Eritrea should withdraw its forces from Tigray.