No breakthrough in first round of Ethiopia peace talks

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ADDIS ABABA:  Peace talks between the Ethiopian Federal Government and the Oromo Liberation Army (OLA) rebel group ended Wednesday without a major breakthrough, government officials say.

The two sides met in Tanzania’s semi-autonomous region of Zanzibar last week Tuesday and have been engaged in talks which ended yesterday.

However, the officials added that the two sides are still committed to continue engaging in dialogue aimed at ending the long-running conflict in the Oromia region.

“While the talks have been largely constructive, unfortunately, it was not possible to reach an agreement on some issues during this round of the talks,” Ethiopia’s prime minister’s national security adviser Redwan Hussein tweeted.

Adding, “Both parties have acknowledged the need to continue these talks with a view to resolving the conflict permanently and peacefully.”

The Prime Minister, who is among the negotiating team said the government will pursue all peaceful means towards resolving the conflict but maintained that the talks will be held in line with the country’s constitution.

OLA released a statement on Wednesday saying the two groups agreed on some issues but failed to reach an understanding on key political matters.

“Both parties have acknowledged the need to continue these talks with a view to resolving conflict permanently and peacefully. The OLF-OLA would like to take this opportunity to reiterate its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the conflict through honorable political settlement,” OLA’s Spokesperson Odaa Tarbii said.

However both parties did not state on which political issues they differ to agree on, nor did they disclose agendas they discussed on.

The talks were largely mediated by Norway and Kenya, according to sources.

By Fauxile Kibet