23 February 2024
Mekelle, Ethiopia – The United States has commended the efforts of the African Union’s Monitoring, Verification, and Compliance Mission (AU MVCM) in monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement between the Ethiopian government and Tigrayan forces.
Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, made the statement on Thursday after a briefing by AU MVCM Head General Mohammed Radina in Mekelle, the capital of the Tigray region.
“The U.S. appreciates the important work of his team, essential to making progress and preserving the peace,” Thomas-Greenfield said in a statement.
The ceasefire agreement, signed in November 2022, has led to a significant reduction in violence in northern Ethiopia, where a brutal two-year war has displaced millions and caused a severe humanitarian crisis.
However, there have been concerns about the slow pace of implementation of the agreement, with both sides accused of violating its terms.
The AU MVCM is tasked with monitoring the ceasefire and verifying compliance with its terms. The mission has deployed hundreds of observers to Tigray and other parts of northern Ethiopia.
Thomas-Greenfield’s statement is a sign of US support for the AU’s role in mediating the conflict and overseeing the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
It is important to note that the situation in Ethiopia remains fragile and there is a risk of a return to violence. The continued commitment of all parties to the ceasefire agreement and the work of the AU MVCM are essential to achieving a lasting peace.
