The demobilization of former rebels of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) has begun in the Tigray region of Ethiopia as part of the next phase of implementation of the peace agreement between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the TPLF, according to local media.
"Demobilization of Tigray forces is part of the peace agreement signed in Pretoria and Executive Plan signed in Nairobi between both parties," local television station Tigrai TV reported. "Tigray Defense forces have surrendered their crew-served weapons this morning in the presence of AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission in Lachi, a neighborhood on the outskirts of Mekelle."
For its part, Ethiopian broadcaster Fana, citing the AU observer team, reported that the first phase of the reintegration program for ex-combatants of the Tigray People's Liberation Front was officially launched on Friday in Qwiha, Mekelle, the administrative center of the region.
In March, the Ethiopian authorities dropped all charges of various crimes against civilian and military leaders of the TPLF and announced the creation of a transitional administration in the Tigray region, appointing Getachew Reda, a representative of the Tigrayan movement, as its head.
Peace talks between Ethiopian authorities and rebels from the country's Tigray region began last October in Pretoria, South Africa. In early November, a cessation of hostilities agreement was signed between the two sides. It was noted that the agreement provided for the disarmament of Tigray forces within a few weeks.
The conflict in northern Ethiopia broke out in November 2020. At that time, the authorities accused the TPLF, which had dominated Ethiopian political life for nearly three decades, of attacking a military base and launched an operation in Tigray.