Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
It has been one year since the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front signed the cessation of hostilities agreement. The courageous commitment to peace demonstrated by all parties at that time must remain unabated. There is a need for continued African Union support for the Pretoria Agreement. According to what was stated in a European statement issued in Brussels by the office of European Foreign Policy Coordinator Josep Borrell, the statement also stated, “Our first thoughts on that day go to the hundreds of thousands of people who were killed during this brutal war. We will not forget them, just as we will not forget the many survivors who They struggle to rebuild their lives.
In April 2023, the EU agreed to the gradual normalization of relations between the EU and Ethiopia, based on the continued implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement. The EU reiterates that further progress on accountability and justice is crucial for such normalization. The Government of Ethiopia must ensure that future policy meets regional and international human rights standards. This includes establishing strong, independent, impartial and transparent mechanisms to implement transitional justice policy, preserve evidence, conduct investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses, and violations of international humanitarian law, and prosecute those responsible.
Locally structured dialogue with the Government of Ethiopia is also key to moving forward with the normalization of relations and the implementation of the multi-year indicative plan.
For the national dialogue and transitional justice process to have any chance of success, creating an enabling environment across the country is crucial. Therefore, the European Union reiterates to all parties its concern about the various ongoing conflicts in the country, the state of emergency, as well as ongoing reports of various types of human rights violations. We once again call for the protection of civilians, the cessation of hostilities and the initiation of political settlements, as well as a comprehensive dialogue.