Following the Tigray conflict that began in November 2020, the African Union spearheaded peace mediation efforts leading to the COHA signing in October 2022. The resultant agreement facilitated an end to hostilities and crucial humanitarian access, marking a significant milestone for stability in the region. The AU has since analyzed lessons learned from the mediation process to enhance future initiatives.
In November 2020, a conflict erupted in Ethiopia between the Federal Democratic Republic and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF). The African Union (AU) initially deployed three Special Envoys to facilitate peace talks and scheduling de-escalation measures. After a protracted period of conflict, the AU appointed H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo as High Representative for the Horn of Africa in August 2021 to lead the mediation efforts.
By October 2022, the AU’s sustained shuttle diplomacy resulted in direct negotiations in Pretoria, South Africa, culminating in the signing of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA). This agreement allowed for an immediate cessation of hostilities, ensured humanitarian access, and initiated essential services restoration in the Tigray region, contributing to greater security and stability.
Following the COHA, the AU took steps to analyze the mediation process to draw critical lessons for future initiatives. The process identified achievements, challenges, and recommendations, emphasizing the importance of neutrality, conflict ownership, and strategic engagement. With Ethiopia being a member of the AU, the organization’s neutrality was crucial during the mediation efforts.
The mediation process highlighted the significance of ownership, where the AU emphasized an “AU-led and Ethiopian-owned” approach, allowing the parties to set the agenda and trajectory for peace. The establishment of a High-Level Panel also reinforced neutrality, providing assurance to both parties and affirming equitable treatment during the process.
To protect confidential negotiations from public scrutiny, the AU employed a media strategy limiting external influence. Only designated AU officials provided updates, ensuring the mediation process was not discredited by outside opinions. Additionally, the AU effectively engaged third-party observers and focused on managing their influence, streamlining communication and decision-making.
Financial independence was another lesson learned; the AU partnered with the African Development Bank, ensuring consistent funding and reducing external pressure. The choice of the venue for negotiations was also essential for maintaining confidentiality, particularly after prior leaks. Collaborative efforts between the AU and the governments concerned facilitated logistical challenges such as passport and vaccination issues for the TPLF negotiating team.
The AU emphasized flexibility in response to COVID-19 regulations during the mediation process, balancing public health needs with peace efforts. Strategic focal persons were deployed to streamline communication between parties, minimizing miscommunication risks while reinforcing confidentiality.
Finally, the report noted the need to avoid overloading peace agreements with too many objectives and the importance of having impartial guarantors for added oversight in future agreements. Though the AU facilitated regular monitoring, the absence of external guarantees posed challenges for compliance.
In summary, the AU-led mediation in Ethiopia has achieved notable success amid complex dynamics. The process underscored the crucial roles of neutrality, ownership, and stakeholder engagement in effective mediation, providing valuable insights for future peace initiatives across Africa.
The AU’s mediation in the Tigray conflict exemplifies the importance of key strategies such as maintaining neutrality, promoting ownership, and managing confidentiality. The lessons drawn from this endeavor, including the necessity of financial independence and logistical flexibility, will serve to inform future mediation efforts across the continent, enhancing the AU’s role in peacebuilding initiatives.
Original Source: reliefweb.int
