Declaration of the Senior Commanders on the Modalities for the Implementation of the Agreement for a Lasting Peace Through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities

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Country/entity: Ethiopia
Tigray
Region: Africa (excl MENA)
Agreement name: Declaration of the Senior Commanders on the Modalities for the Implementation of the Agreement for a Lasting Peace Through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities
Date: 12 Nov 2022
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Intrastate/intrastate conflict
Ethiopia: conflict in Tigray (2020-)
The Ethiopia and Tigray conflict, also known as the Tigray War, began in November 2020 when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military operation against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party of the Tigray region. The conflict erupted after months of political tensions between the TPLF and the federal government, following the postponement of national elections due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The TPLF rejected the delay and held its own regional election in September 2020, which the federal government deemed illegal.
On 24 March 2022, the Ethiopian government declared an indefinite humanitarian truce to allow the delivery of aid into Tigray and initiate talks with the TPLF to end the war. However, the negotiations became hostile, and by August, talks broke down with accusations of refusal to make peace. On 25 October 2022, peace talks involving the Ethiopian government and the TPLF started in South Africa, with hopes low as fighting continued. On 2 November, Ethiopia and the TPLF signed an agreement for a cessation of hostilities, but Eritrea and other warring parties were not involved. On 12 November, both parties signed a deal to allow humanitarian aid into Tigray, and by 29 December, federal police had returned to Tigray, and flights and internet access had been restored.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Ethiopia: Tigray process
Parties: IN WITNESS WHEREOF the duly authorized representatives of the Parties have signed this Declaration in Nairobi, Kenya on the 12th day of November 2022.

Feld Marshal Birhanu Jula
Chief of the General Staff of ENDF

Lt. General Tadesse Worede
Commander, Tigray Armed Combatants
Third parties: Witnessed by:

His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of
Nigeria, and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa

His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya
(Panel Member)
Description: Ceasefire agreement which discusses the modalities of the ceasefire including DDR, protecting civilians, monitoring mechanisms, and humanitarian access.

Agreement document: ET_221112_Declaration of the Senior Commanders on the Modalities for the Implementation of the Agreement.pdf (opens in new tab) | Download PDF

Main category: Page 4, 3. Protection of Civilians
3.1. In accordance with Article 4 of the agreement, the protection of civilians shall be the responsibility of all federal security and regional security organs in accordance with the Federal Constitution. In this regard, the protection of civilians shall include all points enumerated under Article 4 of the agreement including:
...
d) Ensure the safety and security of vulnerable groups including women and children.

Women, girls and gender

Participation: No specific mention.
Equality: No specific mention.
Particular groups of women: No specific mention.
International law: No specific mention.
New institutions: No specific mention.
Violence against women: Violence against women→Protection (general)
Page 4, 3. Protection of Civilians
3.1. In accordance with Article 4 of the agreement, the protection of civilians shall be the responsibility of all federal security and regional security organs in accordance with the Federal Constitution. In this regard, the protection of civilians shall include all points enumerated under Article 4 of the agreement including:
...
d) Ensure the safety and security of vulnerable groups including women and children.
Transitional justice: No specific mention.
Institutional reform: No specific mention.
Development: No specific mention.
Implementation: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Annex G

DECLARATION OF THE SENIOR COMMANDERS ON THE MODALITIES FOR THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT FOR LASTING PEACE THROUGH A

PERMANENT CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

BETWEEN

THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA (FDRE) AND THE TIGRAY

PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT (TPLF)

12 Nov 2022

Nairobi, Kenya

DECLARATION OF THE SENIOR COMMANDERS ON THE MODALITIES FOR THE

IMPLEMENTATION OF THE AGREEMENT FOR LASTING PEACE THROUGH A

PERMANENT CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES

BETWEEN

THE FEDERAL DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF ETHIOPIA (FDRE) AND THE TIGRAY

PEOPLE'S LIBERATION FRONT (TPLF)

This declaration of the meeting of the Senior Commanders of the Ethiopian

National Defense Force and Tigray Armed Combatants (hereafter referred to as

Parties) is based on the agreement for lasting peace through a permanent cessation of hostilities signed on 2 November 2022 in Pretoria, South Africa (hereafter referred to as the Agreement).

The parties:

HAVING engaged in extensive discussions on the modalities of orderly and successful implementation of the Agreement;

COMMITTED to the effective implementation of the Agreement;

REAFFIRMING that Ethiopia shall have only one defense force;

NOW THEREFORE AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1. Permanent Cessation of Hostilities

1.1. Consistent with the Agreement, the parties affirm their commitment to thefollowing:

a) Halt and disengage from all forms of military engagements.

b) Ensure all necessary actions are taken to achieve the overall purpose of the implementation of this Agreement.

2. Disarmament of Tigray Armed Combatants

2.1 In accordance with Article 6 of the Agreement, the following will be the process of this disarmament:

(a) Orientation by the commanders for their respective forces will take place over a period of seven (7) days starting on the date of the commanders' arrival to the regular position on 15 November 2022.

(b) After the orientation, disengagement will take place over a period of four (4) days in four disengagement zones.

(c) Upon disengagement, the federal authorities shall assume federal responsibilities in accordance with the Constitution for all areas including the resumption of services.

(d) Disarmament of heavy weapons will be done concurrently with the withdrawal of foreign and non-ENDF forces from the region.

(e) A joint committee shall be established on the date of signing of this Declaration by the two commanders to work out a detailed implementation plan for the disarmament of light weapons and report within a period Of fourteen (14) days with a clear plan for the process and timelines for the disarmament of light weapons.

The Committee shall comprise two (2) representatives from the Parties and one (1) representative from the AU Monitoring and Verification Team.

3. Protection of Civilians

3.1. In accordance with Article 4 of the agreement, the protection of civilians shall be the responsibility of all federal security and regional security organs in accordance with the Federal Constitution.

In this regard, the protection of civilians shall include all points enumerated under Article 4 of the agreement including:

a) Prohibit attacks against civilians.

b) Ensure the smooth movement of civilians.

c) Ensure the safety and security of civilian institutions and infrastructure.

d) Ensure the safety and security of vulnerable groups including women and children.

e) Protect civilians against attacks from security forces.

f) Any violations of Article 4 of the Agreement by any Party shall be met with strong condemnation and punitive action.

4. Delivery of humanitarian aid

4.1. Consistent with Article 5 of the Agreement the Parties agree:

a) To cooperate and facilitate the delivery of unhindered humanitarian access.

b) The delivery of humanitarian aid shall be undertaken in accordance with Article 5 of the Agreement.

c) All humanitarian relief shall go through the inspection and notification of the federal government.

d) Security guarantee will be provided for humanitarian aid workers andorganizations upon their request.

e) The Parties shall facilitate unhindered movement of humanitarian aid workers.

f) There shall be only two checkpoints, which would be established one at the entrance from point of loading and/or warehouses and at the entrance of the destination areas.

5. Monitoring and verification

5.1. The Parties agree to cooperate with the Monitoring and Verification Team

(MVT), which shall be established by the African Union (AU) through the

High-Level Panel consistent with Article 11 of the agreement.

The profile and Terms of Reference (TOR) of the MVT shall be developed in consultation with the Parties.

5.2. The MVT shall commence its operations ten (10) days from the signing of this Declaration.

5.3. The security guarantee for the MVT shall be provided by ENDF upon their request.

6. Responsible Use of Media

6.1. The parties endorse Article 3(2) and Article 12 of the Agreement that media platforms controlled by the respective parties should play a constructive role that would expedite the implementation of this Agreement.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the duly authorized representatives of the Parties have signed this Declaration in Nairobi, Kenya on the 12th day of November 2022.

Feld Marshal Birhanu Jula

Chief of the General Staff of ENDF

Lt. General Tadesse Worede

Commander, Tigray Armed Combatants

Witnessed by:

His Excellency Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of

Nigeria, and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa

His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of the Republic of Kenya

(Panel Member)