Konflik Antara Ethiopia dan Front Pembebasan Rakyat Tigray

            At the beginning of the mediation carried out by the African Union to resolve this conflict, it failed. This is because Abiy fully opposes mediation efforts and opposes the basic principles of the African Union (Wirawati, n.d.). 

In August 2021, the African Union again tried to mediate through another special envoy, the former president of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo. In this case, the former President said that a conflict cannot be resolved by the military, but this can disrupt political stability in Ethiopia. In addition, this organization has also been slow in resolving ongoing conflicts. Therefore, the African Union needs to use more effective mediation methods that are acceptable to the parties to the conflict.

            On October 30, 2022, mediation was again carried out by the African Union in South Africa. Where, South Africa agreed to host the mediation of the conflict because it is in accordance with the country's foreign policy objectives. 

The negotiations are expected to resolve a civil war that has killed hundreds of people in Ethiopia. In this case, the African Union adopts an approach and strategy by means of peace negotiations where both parties involved in the conflict declare their commitment to creating peace.

            In addition, the African Union adopted another step by sending three people, former South African president Kgalema Motlanthe, former Mozambique president Joaquim Chissano, and former Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf to call on all parties to the conflict to immediately end the fighting, creating the right conditions for an inclusive dialogue aimed at resolving all issues that lead to the conflict.  

and restore peace and stability in Ethiopia. Thus, this negotiation resulted in a reduction in the conflict that had heated up two years earlier, namely a ceasefire.

            After lengthy negotiations, the conflict finally ended on November 2, 2022, with the signing of an agreement on a permanent cessation of hostilities mediated by the African Union (Burton, 2022). This agreement was signed by Redwan Hussien from the Ethiopian government and Getachew Reda from the TPLF side (Harter & Solomon, 2022). 

There are several main points agreed upon by these two parties (Reuters, 2022). The first is about the ceasefire and the restoration of constitutional order. The party agreed to end all forms of hostilities including sabotage, acts of violence, airstrikes, and "rhetoric, propaganda and hate speech". They also agreed not to form coalitions with outside forces that could create hostility to both sides.

In addition, federal authority will be restored in Tigray. The Ethiopian government will ensure that Tigray will have representation in federal institutions such as the Parliament.

            Second, regarding disarmament. The two conflicting actors agreed that Ethiopia had only one defense force. In addition, the ruling party in Tigray, the TPLF, agreed to disarm all weapons, including small arms, within 30 days. And the fighters will take part in disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration programs. And the Ethiopian military will return to Mekelle.

            Third, regarding new general elections and recognition. In this agreement, neither side mentions the existence of a "Tigray government". So this is one of the main problems in this conflict because the government did not authorize the last general election won by the TPLF. Therefore, an interim government will be formed to administer Tigray until general elections are held.