The Addis Standard published on 4 August 2023 an article titled "Blinken Speaks of 'Immediately Implementing' Pretoria Agreement in a Phone Call with Abiy."
In a 4 August phone call with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need for immediate implementation of the Pretoria Agreement, including the withdrawal of all foreign forces from Ethiopia and concurrent disarmament of Tigrayan forces.
The Washington Post published on 10 April 2023 an article titled "Ethiopian Plan to Disarm Regional Forces Sparks Protests in Amhara" by Katharine Houreld.
The decision by the central government to integrate regional militia forces into the national army has sparked violence in Amhara Region where some members of the Fano militia are resisting the order.
The Voice of America published on 13 January 2023 an article titled "Regional Forces in Ethiopia Withdraw from Tigray" by Maya Misikir.
Amhara militia aligned with central Ethiopian government forces during the civil war have withdrawn from a strategic town in northern Tigray Region.
Reuters published on 10 January 2023 an article titled "Tigray Forces Begin Handing over Heavy Weapons to Ethiopian Army" by Dawit Endeshaw.
Tigray Defense Forces have begun the disarmament process in accordance with the peace agreement and are turning over heavy weapons to central government forces.
George Kidane of The Eritrean Studies Forum interviewed me on 9 January 2023 in a podcast titled "Outcomes for Peace in Ethiopia, and American Relations with African Countries."
The 46 minute interview focused on the conflict in Tigray Region of Ethiopia, the role of Eritrea in the conflict, the impact of the US-Africa Leaders Summit, and US-China competition in Africa.
Reuters published on 5 January 2023 an article titled "Ethiopia Sets Out on Long Road to Peace after Two Years of War" by Tommy Wilkes.
The author concluded that 2022 ended on a note of cautious optimism for ending the war in Ethiopia although prospects for peace remain uncertain.
The Voice of America published on 30 December 2022 an article titled "Eritrean Forces Begin Withdrawal as Ethiopia, Tigray Peace Agreement Holds" by Mohammed Yusuf.
Some Eritrean forces began to withdraw from Tigray Region on 29 December although it is not clear when all of them will return to Eritrea.
Agence France Presse published on 26 December 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia Govt. Team in Rebel Tigray after Nov. 2 Peace Deal."
A high level Ethiopian government team has arrived in the capital of Tigray Region to supervise the implementation of major issues associated with the peace agreement. Eritrean Defense Forces and Amhara militia remain in Tigray.
Foreign Affairs published on 26 December 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia's Hard Road to Peace" by Jeffrey Feltman, former US special envoy for the Horn of Africa.
The article lays out the recent history of the conflict in Tigray Region and then focuses on potential spoilers of the peace agreement, especially the Eritrean Defense Forces, Amhara militia, and actions of certain external states and forces.
The Voice of America published on 23 December 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia, Tigray Rebels Agree to African Union Monitoring Team" by Mohammed Yusuf.
Ethiopian central government officials and the Tigray People's Liberation Front have agreed to establish a joint monitoring team to oversee the peace agreement. The two sides discussed ways to implement disarmament of the Tigrayan forces and negotiate the withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray Region.
The London School of Economics and Political Science blog posted on 15 December 2022 a commentary titled "Peace Agreement Signed in Pretoria But the Future of Ethiopia Remains Uncertain" by Yohannes Woldemariam.
The author states that "Ethiopia is an empire that could be staring at complete disintegration." He concludes that the solution for survival may be creation of a "loose confederation" of states.
Agence France Presse published on 4 December 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia's Tigray Forces Withdraw 65% of Fighters from Frontline, Says Commander."
The commander of the Tigrayan forces said 65 percent of his troops have disengaged from the frontlines in the conflict with the central government. Tigrayan forces remain in areas where Eritrean forces and hostile regional militia are still opposing Tigrayan forces.
India's Frontline Magazine published on 30 November 2022 an article titled "Peace Deal between Government of Ethiopia and TPLF a Welcome First Step" by John Cherian.
The article offers a review of the conflict in Tigray Region and provides a cautiously optimistic assessment of the peace deal going forward.
The Associated Press published on 1 December 2022 an article titled "Ethiopian Government Says Disarmament Talks with Tigray Forces Have Begun."
While talks have begun in Tigray Region between central government and Tigrayan officials, the Tigrayan side says disarmament of their forces cannot begin until Ethiopia has removed fighters from Eritrea and neighboring Amhara Region.
Ethiopia Insight published on 25 November 2022 a commentary titled "Many Hurdles to Peace in Tigray Remain after Pretoria and Nairobi Deals" by Patrick Wight, senior editor at Ethiopia Insight.
Tigrayan disarmament, withdrawal of Eritrean forces from Tigray Region, the ambiguity of the status of Western Tigray, and accountability for atrocities by both sides are among the most significant obstacles to real peace in Ethiopia.
The Washington Post Monkey Cage published on 18 November 2022 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Peace May Depend on Post-Conflict Plans for Tigray Soldiers" by Sally Sharif, Simon Fraser University.
Disarming, demobilizing, and reintegrating (DDR) Tigrayan soldiers into Ethiopian society will be one of the most important and challenging factors facing the peace process. The DDR program is unlikely to succeed without technical support and funding from international sources.
Responsible Statecraft published on 16 November 2022 a commentary titled "Facing Famine, Tigray Concedes to Ethiopian Government, and Abiy" by Alex de Waal.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front agreed to dismantle the regional government of Tigray and to disarm the Tigray Defense Forces in return for ending the fighting, receiving humanitarian aid, and removing of "foreign forces" (understood to mean Eritrean troops) from Tigray Region. The prospect of famine and starvation in Tigray Region drove this decision.
Le Monde published on 15 November 2022 an article titled "Eritrea's Shadow Looms over Ethiopian Peace Process" by Noe Hochet-Bodin.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) is waiting for security guarantees from Addis Ababa that Eritrean forces are leaving Tigray Region. TPLF disarmament of heavy weapons will be done concurrently with the withdrawal of foreign forces from the region. The challenge for Abiy Ahmed is to persuade Isaias Afwerki to respect the cease fire and remove his troops from Tigray Region.
Agence France Presse published on 15 November 2022 an article titled "Ethiopia PM Vows to Execute 'Promise' of Peace Deal."
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said he expects to execute the peace agreement signed on 2 November in South Africa. He acknowledged that the future of contested Western Tigray was not part of the negotiation.
The Council on Foreign Relations posted on 14 November 2022 a commentary titled "Progress Towards Peace for Ethiopia's Tigray Conflict" by Michelle Gavin.
The author argues that follow-up talks in Nairobi have advanced the cause of peace in Tigray but significant obstacles remain, not the least of which is the role of Eritrea in the conflict.
