Ethiopian envoy briefs Machar over peace deal with Tigray rebels

JUBA – Ethiopian ambassador to South Sudan Nebil Mehdi on Wednesday met First Vice President Dr. Riek Machar Teny and briefed the later on the ceasefire agreement the Ethiopian government signed with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

Ethiopian parties last week signed a ceasefire agreement in South Africa under the auspices of the African Union. The peace deal that is hoped to bring peace provides for the disarmament of the Tigray Defense Forces, the military wing of the TPLF and other Tigray groups.

In a statement, the First Vice President’s Office said the Ethiopian envoy briefed Machar on the peace deal with the Tigray rebels is expected to bring peace to the Horn of Africa country.

“His Excellency, Dr. Riek Machar Teny-Dhurgon, First Vice President of the Republic has received and met today in his office with H.E. Nebil Mahdi Abdallahi, the Ethiopian Ambassador to South Sudan,” Machar’s office said in the statement.

“Ambassador Nebil briefed H.E. the First Vice President on the Peace deal reached between the Ethiopian government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) under the auspices of South Africa,” it added.

Mehdi said “the peace agreement signed has led to Cessation of Hostilities that would end the conflict in Ethiopia. The Peace Agreement signed on Wednesday shall bring stability and harmony in Ethiopia.”