Peace talks to end Ethiopia’s Oromia conflict enters second phase
The second round of peace negotiations between the Ethiopian federal government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) has kicked off in Tanzania’s capital, Dar es Salam.
Face-to-face participation of the OLA Commander, Kumsa Diriba, popularly called Jaal Marroo was secured with the help of external mediators involved in the negotiations, Addis Standard reports.
“As the discussion progresses into a critical stage, it is increasingly evident that the dedication and resolve demonstrated by all parties to reach a sustainable resolution is commendable,” a diplomatic source involved in the process is quoted to have said.
In May, delegates from both parties convened for their inaugural meeting, engaging in a week-long discourse in Zanzibar, Tanzania, with the goal of reaching a resolution to conclude the nearly five-year-long militarized conflict in the Oromia regional state. However, no substantive agreement was reached.
The diplomatic source added, “the Regional bloc Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), is among the key external facilitators of the discussions…the optimism surrounding the talks is heightened due to his close connections with the negotiating parties and his vast experience in mediation. It is widely acknowledged by both negotiating teams that his involvement is of significant value.”
The Ethiopian federal government and OLA both initiated steps towards resolving the war which caused considerable loss of life and property in the region. The initiative was intensified in 2022 with lawmakers from the Oromia regional state and the U.S. government urging an end to the conflict through peace negotiations.
