Thursday May 4, 2023
By Mohamed Dhaysane
Addis Ababa reiterates it is committed to finding peaceful resolution to conflict
MOGADISHU, Somalia - The first round of peace talks between Ethiopia and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) concluded Wednesday without an agreement, according to a senior Ethiopian official.
National security adviser Redwan Hussien said the talks have been largely “constructive” that opened in Tanzania's island archipelago of Zanzibar late last month.
“Unfortunately it was not possible to reach an agreement on some issues during this round of the talks,” he wrote on Twitter.
The government and the rebel group have acknowledged the “need to continue these talks with a view to resolving the conflict permanently and peacefully,” he said.
Hussien said his government reiterates its commitment to a peaceful resolution to the conflict under the Constitution of Ethiopia.
He thanked Tanzania and facilitators of the talks for hosting the first round.
The OLA said understandings were reached on some outstanding issues but “unfortunately, it was not possible to reach an agreement on key political matters during this round of talks.”
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced late April talks with the OLA -- an active rebel group operating in the country's largest and most populous region of Oromia.
The group said days before the start of talks that it is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue and working toward a peaceful resolution that addresses the grievances and aspirations of the Oromo people.
The violence in Oromia killed hundreds and displaced thousands of families.
Last year, peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) rebels bore fruit as the warring sides agreed to a peace deal in South Africa.
The war between government forces and Tigray rebels erupted in November 2020 after the TPLF attacked federal army bases stationed in the northern region.
The Tigray conflict has killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions more since November 2020.
A UN report released late last year placed the number of displaced people at 2.75 million, with 12.5 million children said to require urgent humanitarian assistance.