Former President Uhuru Kenyatta is set to take part in peace talks between Tigray’s TPLF and the Federal government of Ethiopia.
According to African Union(AU) Chairman Moussa Faki, the talks will happen in South Africa starting Sunday, October 9, 2022.
Faki says the talks are in line with building on continuous consultations with the two sides that have been at war.
The AU has written to Kenyatta inviting him for the talks
“Within the context of the ongoing African Union-led peace process for Ethiopia, I have the honour to invite you to the Peace Talks, scheduled to take place in South Africa Sunday, October 9, 2022,” read part of the letter.
The AU boss noted that the talks between the two parties, will expected to deliberate on the guiding principles, agenda issues, modalities, format and timelines for the negotiated settlement aimed at laying the foundation for a structured and sustained mediation between the Federal Government of Ethiopia and the TPLF, towards durable resolution of the conflict.
At the same time, AU says that Former Nigeria President Olusegun Obasanjo will lead a panel of distinguished and eminent Africans in facilitating the peace talks
Uhuru and former UN Women Executive Director Dr Phumzile Mambo-Ngcuka will serve as panelists for the peace talks process.
The Tigrayan forces have agreed to negotiate with Addis Ababa under the auspices of the African Union.
The rebels have been expressing confidence in Kenya as the chosen host of peace talks with Ethiopia with the former Kenyan leader Uhuru Kenyatta playing a lead role.
Under his administration, Uhuru led Kenya in moderating various peace initiatives in the region including chairing the African Union Peace and Security Council
The council is the standing decision-making organ of the continental body for the prevention, management and resolution of conflicts in Africa.
Kenya has been representing Africa at the United Nations Security Council since January 2021 for one year and will be succeeded by Mozambique for the year 2023.
Both Addis Ababa and Tigray have accepted the AU invitation for the peace talks
Also Read:New Role for Uganda’s ‘First Son’ After Social Media Uproar