First peace negotiations on Tigray conflict start in South Africa

The much anticipated peace talks between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, TPLF, is about to commence as delegates from the two sides arrive in South Africa’s capital, Pretoria.

Ethiopia’s government said in a statement its delegation had left for South Africa. While a spokesman for the Tigray forces also confirmed the arrival of the Tigrayan delegation.

Both the Ethiopian government and the TPLF had committed to the talks in South Africa earlier this month, but the talks were delayed for logistical reasons.

On Sunday, Pope Francis said he was following the Ethiopian conflict with trepidation.

The peace parley is coming several days after the Ethiopian military and their allies from neighbouring Eritrea, seized several large towns in Tigray. The talks, mediated by the African Union, AU, were not open to the public.

The conflict in Ethiopia has killed thousands of people, displaced millions and left hundreds of thousands on the brink of starvation.

It has also further destabilised the volatile Horn of Africa region and complicated Ethiopia’s diplomatic relations with Western allies, who have been calling for cessation of hostilities.