The implementation of the Peace Agreement in Ethiopia needs support and encouragement by all actors

We, Ethiopians and citizens of European countries, members of the Defend Ethiopia Task Force in Europe organized in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Finland and the United Kingdom call upon the EU to support the peace deal reached between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People Liberation Front (TPLF)     

The northern Ethiopia conflict has reached a positive stage due to the effort made by the African Union and various regional and international actors. It is our expectation that the European Union and its member states will make an effort to support Ethiopians in implementing the peace agreement signed under the auspices of the African Union in South Africa.

Unfortunately, we are witnessing that some voices, in particular factions of TPLF’s supporters in Europe and the United States, are trying to speculate negatively on the peace deal. We strongly oppose those who undermine the effort made by the African Union to bring to the table the TPLF. We also condemn any speculation on the peace deal whose preamble underlines that war will not be the solution to the problems in Northern Ethiopia. Additionally, the extension of hostilities will only exacerbate the suffering of our citizens in Tigray, Amhara and Afar. 

Some self-proclaimed East African experts should refrain from instigating other violence by creating an alternative belligerent movement from within the TPLF sympathizers in the diaspora. Some believe in achieving power in wartime than in peacetime. As such, the European Union and its members states should unequivocally support and help the AU led peace agreement. In the past two years, Ethiopians have experienced a national trauma which can only be healed through a long process starting with a permanent agreement towards peace and justice. Any attempt to subvert the long-awaited ceasefire and similar peace-building efforts  is considered as terror entrepreneurship.   

We welcome the immediate and follow-up measures that the Ethiopian government is taking in the implementation of the peace plan. The proceedings to expedite the outcomes outlined in the agreement are extended towards Ethiopia’s regional states, requested to use their resources and capacity to meet the stated objectives. The pragmatic action taken by the Ethiopian government, such as forming several ministerial and regional state groups to expedite the rehabilitation and reconstruction shows its willingness to regain the time wasted towards development and peace in the horn of Africa. We congratulate the multi-agency task force for restoring damaged services in many liberated localities now under the Ethiopian National Defense Forces control.

We reiterate our call to the United States, member states of the European Union, major media houses, think tanks, academic institutions, human rights advocacy groups and NGOs to have a nuanced understanding of the new situation in Ethiopia and be supportive of the peaceful solutions ahead. Governments should consider long-term interests, strategic and appeased relationship with Ethiopia after the disarmament of the TPLF. Other actors should stop spreading fake stories of “Tigray Genocide, weaponised rapes, forced famine and massacre”, concocted and effectively executed to mislead public opinion, governmental and non-governmental entities. The principle of precaution cannot justify misuses of such grave words without any signs of evidence in the context of the situation in northern Ethiopia.

As explained in our last statement co-signed by 14 advocacy groups worldwide, we remain optimistic that Ethiopia and her multitudes will soon get the peace and security they deserve.

The Defend Ethiopia Task Force in Europe (DETF-EU) organized in Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom