The BIC welcomes the ceasefire signed between the Ethiopian government and the regional Tigrayan forces in Pretoria. The African-Union led peace talks have resulted in a surprisingly quick agreement between the parties which, if respected and implemented, will be a critical step in a comprehensive peace process. However, challenges still remain and require vigilance by the international community to ensure that the transition to peace proceeds smoothly.
The BIC's Political Analyst, Ben Lowings, said:
"The announcement of a truce is excellent news for those civilians affected by the violence in Tigray. However, caution must still be exercised as there are still key players, such as Eritrea, who are not yet signatories to this deal. Even more so is the significant chance for a violation of such a ceasefire, which would unravel these significant political gains. In this sense, the parties must respect their commitments to peace."
The BIC will continue to follow developments in the region very closely.