The EU welcomes the announcement of a Cessation of Hostilities and congratulates both the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front for their commitment and courage towards peace. The EU commends the African Union mediation and its observers, as well as the South Africa host and reaffirms its readiness to support peace efforts moving forward in a process owned and led by Ethiopians.

A swift implementation on the ground of the agreement reached today is needed. Priority is to resume humanitarian access in all affected areas and to restore basic services, in particular in Tigray. Further negotiations are encouraged to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement and launch broader political talks.

As we approach the second anniversary of the beginning of the war, the EU reaffirms its solidarity with the people of Ethiopia on its way to reconciliation and recovery, like it has constantly remained by their side through humanitarian and development assistance.

The EU stands by the families of the people who have been killed and those who have been victims of the worst atrocities during those two terrible years. It remains of the utmost importance that the victims see justice being brought upon the perpetrators of those crimes. Accountability is a corner stone for lasting peace and reconciliation.