Uhuru awarded in Ethiopia for Tigray peace truce

ADDIS ABABA - Former Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta was on Sunday evening awarded by Ethiopia, his office reported, noting his contributions towards a peaceful solution to the Tigray conflict which was settled following interventions by the African Union last year.

Uhuru, who directly participated in peace talks between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and the TPLF has been monitoring the implementation of the peace deal which was signed in 2022 November, leading to the cessation of hostilities in the Horn of Africa nation.

Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and the A.U. High Representative for the Horn of Africa, and Phumzile, Mlambo-Ngcuka the former deputy president of South Africa, were also awarded in the event themed "Enough with War lets sustain peace" in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa.

In his remarks at the event, held at Friendship Square Addis Ababa, H.E Kenyatta commended the people of Ethiopia for their commitment to finding lasting peace in the Northern region, saying the found peace is a testimony that the African continent can resolve her problems.

"The commitment shown and the leadership of the African Union has indeed proved that Africa can work out her problems, and what has happened in Ethiopia is a testimony that Africa can work out its problems," he said while lauding the country for choosing peace instead of war.

On his part, Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo commended the people of Ethiopia and all parties that played a role in finding lasting peace in the country's Northern Region. Obasanjo was the chairman of the talks which were held in South Africa and Kenya last year.

He particularly thanked the African Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki for entrusting the High-Level panel with the sensitive task and the appointed panel for their commitment to the process. Faki had picked the three leaders to steer the peace process in Ethiopia.

The Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and the Tigray People's Liberation Front [TPLF] interim President Getachew Reda also graced the occasion alongside other government and Tigray officials.

The Ethiopian PM seized the opportunity to open up about talks between his government and Oromo Liberation Army [OLA] which are set to begin in South Africa.

GAROWE ONLINE