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The main task of the Special Envoys is to involve all parties to the conflict with a view to ending hostilities, creating the conditions for an inclusive national dialogue to resolve all issues that led to the conflict and restoring peace and stability in Ethiopia.
President of the AU and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
Addis Ababa, November 20, 2020 – The current president of the African Union and South African president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has appointed three African “distinguished statesmen”: Joaquim Chissano, former president of the Republic of Mozambique; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia; Kgalema Motlanthe, former president of the Republic of South Africa, as the African Union’s special envoy to help mediate between “the warring parties” in Ethiopia, said a statement issued by the AU president’s office.
The statement was released after talks between President Sahle-Work Zewde and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Sahle-Work traveled to South Africa today in “her capacity as Special Envoy to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed”.
President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for accepting this initiative and affirming the cooperation of the Ethiopian government to facilitate the work of the Special Envoys.
AU President and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
Clashes between the Ethiopian federal armed forces and the Tigray armed forces began on November 4 after Prime Minister Abiy ordered the federal forces to begin an offensive against the TPLF in Tigray after he said the TPLF “took action. “and” tried to rob the Northern Command, “Based in Mekelle, the capital. He also accused the TPLF of” opening the war through Dashlah. ”
Below is the full statement
The President of the African Union HE President Cyril Ramaphosatoday received HE President Sahle-Work Zewde of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, who paid a visit to South Africa in his capacity as Special Envoy of HE Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of the Federal Republic from Ethiopia.
President Sahle-Work briefed President Ramaphosa. on the conflict in Ethiopia between Tigray and the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia. President Ramaphosa informed President Sahle-Work Zewde that he, as president of the AU, as well as the AU family of nations, were deeply concerned about the conflict that broke out in Ethiopia. President Ramaphosa expressed his deep desire that the conflict be ended through dialogue between the parties.
President Ramaphosa informed President Sahle-Work Zewde that, as President of the African Union, he has appointed three distinguished statesmen: H.E. Mr. Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique; His Excellency Madame Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia, and His Excellency Mr. Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of the Republic of South Africa, as Special Envoys of the African Union. The envoys will travel to Ethiopia with a view to helping mediate between the conflicting parties in the sister Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
The main task of the Special Envoys is to involve all parties to the conflict with a view to ending hostilities, creating the conditions for an inclusive national dialogue to resolve all issues that led to the conflict and restoring peace and stability in Ethiopia. President Ramaphosa observed: “Ethiopia occupies a place of pride and honor in African history, having successfully resisted colonialism and played a leading role in the decolonization of Africa. “The decision of the Founding Fathers that the most important continental organization in Africa, the Organization for African Unity (OAU), should be established and based in Addis Ababa, was a fitting tribute to Ethiopia’s role as a symbol of unity. African. In keeping with this rich tradition and history, Ethiopia is home to the African Union (AU). “It is in this context that the ongoing conflict is of great concern not only to the countries of the Horn of Africa region, but to the continent as a whole.”
President Ramaphosa’s initiative should be seen in the context of the African Union’s goal of #SilencingTheGuns, which aims to achieve a conflict-free Africa, prevent genocide, make peace a reality for all and rid the continent of wars, violent conflicts, human rights. rapes and humanitarian disasters.
The appointment of Special Envoys seeks to help the brotherly people of Ethiopia to find a solution to current problems, in a spirit of solidarity, guided by the saying of “African solutions to African problems”. President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for accepting this initiative and affirming the cooperation of the Ethiopian government to facilitate the work of the Special Envoys. In her engagement with the President of the AU, President Sahle-Work underlined the special relationship between Ethiopia and South Africa. He highlighted the historical origins of the current conflict and expressed the need for the African Union to help Ethiopia find a solution.
President Ramaphosa welcomed the insights provided by President Sahle-Work as an important contribution to the work to be carried out by the AU special envoys traveling to Addis Ababa in the coming days. President Ramaphosa said that the AU was not only concerned about the conflict in Ethiopia, but wanted to contribute to a process that could lead to dialogue and an end to the struggle that has cost many lives and extensive displacement of people.
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