The United Nations and African Union have renewed support for former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo’s mediation efforts as escalating tensions in northern Ethiopia threaten the peace agreement reached in 2022.
The two organisations called on the parties to exercise restraint and return to direct talks under the framework of the Pretoria Agreement, formally known as the Agreement for Lasting Peace through a Permanent Cessation of Hostilities.
The appeal followed the 27th Consultative Meeting of the UN-AU Joint Task Force on Peace and Security, held in New York on September 26.
Obasanjo, the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, played a leading role in the mediation that produced the November 2022 Pretoria Agreement between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front.
Amid renewed tensions, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf has asked Obasanjo to urgently engage the parties and support diplomatic efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation, restoring dialogue and safeguarding the peace process.
The UN has similarly expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security situation in northern Ethiopia, including intensified fighting and developments around the airports in Mekelle, Axum and Shire. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for maximum restraint and backed AU efforts, including Obasanjo’s engagement, to bring the parties back to negotiations.
The UN and AU warned against actions capable of widening the conflict and destabilising Ethiopia and the broader Horn of Africa.
Beyond Ethiopia, the Joint Task Force reviewed peace and security developments in Sudan, Somalia, South Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On Sudan, the organisations reiterated that there could be no viable military solution to the conflict and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities. They also opposed attempts to establish a parallel government and stressed the need for an inclusive political process towards civilian-led governance.
In Somalia, the meeting reaffirmed support for the African Union Support and Stabilisation Mission in Somalia and underscored the importance of sustained international assistance and political dialogue.
The UN and AU also reviewed peace initiatives in eastern DRC and called for efforts towards an effective and lasting ceasefire, alongside an inclusive national dialogue.
On South Sudan, the task force stressed the need for political consensus and progress in preparations for the country’s planned elections.
The meeting further reviewed UN-AU cooperation on conflict prevention, mediation, early warning, human rights and African-led peace support operations, including implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2719 on financing eligible AU-led peace operations.
The next statutory meeting of the UN-AU Joint Task Force on Peace and Security is expected to be hosted by the African Union Commission.
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