Ethiopia Cease Fire: Tinubu Commends Obasanjo Diplomatic Prowess In Africa Peace

Bola Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for president, praised former president Olusegun Obasanjo for his role in fostering stability in Africa.

After two years of horrific conflict that took thousands of lives and left millions in need of relief, Obasanjo oversaw an African Union diplomatic mission that resulted in a peace accord between Ethiopia and Tigray.

In a brief statement on Thursday, Tinubu expressed his wish that the process will lead to the conflict’s final, permanent resolution.

“I salute former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s statesmanship as he continues to contribute to the stability of the African continent with a successful diplomatic mission in Ethiopia where he led the mediation of an important peace pact.

“It is hoped that the process results, ultimately, in the permanent resolution of the conflict and a full commitment to the cause of unity, restoration, and development,” the former Lagos State governor said.

I commend the statesmanship of former President Olusegun Obasanjo as he continues his contribution to the stability of the African continent with a successful diplomatic mission in Ethiopia where he led the mediation of an important peace treaty.

— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) November 3, 2022

The surprise deal between Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government and Tigrayan rebels was unveiled after little over a week of negotiations led by the African Union in South Africa and was hailed by the UN and the US among others.

Announcing the breakthrough almost exactly two years to the day since the war erupted in November 2020, Obasanjo said it is a new dawn.

“Today is the beginning of a new dawn for Ethiopia, for the Horn of Africa, and indeed for Africa as a whole.

“The two parties in the Ethiopian conflict have formally agreed to the cessation of hostilities as well as the systematic, orderly, smooth, and coordinated disarmament,” Obasanjo said at a briefing in Pretoria.

The ex-Nigerian leader added that they also agreed on a “restoration of law and order, restoration of services, unhindered access to humanitarian supplies, protection of civilians… among other areas of agreement”.