Kenya's retired President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday, November 7, hosted warring sides of Ethiopian conflict in Nairobi.
The Ethiopian government and rival Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) who control the northern Tigray region agreed to meet once again in Nairobi to discuss the second phase of negotiations.
“We believe that next time, we will be holding talks in Mekele Tigray, then finally we will be celebrating victory for all of us in Addis Ababa,” former president Uhuru asserted.
The two sides are in talks to agree on modalities for disarmament of TPLF forces in accordance with the peace agreement signed in South Africa last Wednesday.
The Nairobi meeting comes after telephone exchanges between Commander-in-Chief of the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) Gen Tadesse Werede and Ethiopia chief of military staff, Gen Birhanu Jula.
Political and military commanders of both parties are supposed to design a framework which will be used to disarm TPLF soldiers.
In the agreement that was signed in South Africa, the two parties agreed to undertake the disarmament of the heavy armaments of the TPLF combatant as a matter of priority.
However, the deal did not spell out schedules and other items for the exercise that will be carried out in Tigray region.
"The disarmament activities in the schedule should be completed within ten days from the conclusion of the meeting of the senior commanders" it states, adding "the ten days could be extended based on the recommendation of the senior commanders, to be endorsed by the Parties.
“The overall disarmament of the TPLF combatants, including light weapons, per the agreement, shall be finalized within 30 days from the signing of the agreement,” read part of the agreement.
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken commended President William Ruto for his leadership ahead of Ethiopia -Tigray peace talks in South Africa.
In a private phone call between the two leaders held on Sunday, October 23, Blinken noted that Ruto played a critical role in restoring peace to the neighbouring Ethiopia.
"Spoke to Kenyan President William Ruto today and commended his critical role in regional peace and security in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa," announced Blinken.
