The Ethiopian government liaison office said in a statement that “in order to ensure the stable delivery of humanitarian aid and restore basic services in northern Ethiopia, as well as resolve the conflict (in Tigray) peacefully, the Peace Committee stressed the need to reach a ceasefire. As soon as possible”.

He explained that this committee had adopted “a peace proposal that would lead to a ceasefire agreement and lay the groundwork for future political dialogue”, noting that “the proposal should be communicated as soon as possible to the High Representative of the African Union” for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo , to whom the rebels in Tigray refuse to mediate him.

The office stressed that “every effort is being made in cooperation with the African Union so that the date and place of negotiations can be determined, peace negotiations can be started quickly and a ceasefire can be concluded as soon as possible.”

Fighting in Tigray ceased after both sides of the conflict signed a truce at the end of March last year, but no official ceasefire has been reached. Both sides say they are ready to negotiate, and the government has appointed a “peace committee” to prepare them, but no formal talks have begun on the matter.