President William Ruto's full statement on ongoing AU-led Ethiopia peace process

President William Ruto. [File, Standard]

On behalf of the people and the Government of Kenya, I commend the parties to the Ethiopia peace process, namely, the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia and the Tigray Regional Government for signing a Peace Agreement today.

I applaud His Excellency Prime Minister Aby Ahmed and the leadership of Tigray for their bold step toward restoring peace in Ethiopia. I also salute the great people of Ethiopia, for whom I wish an era of cohesion, integration, and reconciliation.

The commitment demonstrated by the two parties to the African Union-led peace process aligns with our collective desire for peace and security within our region. As a member of the Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD), Kenya joins in complimenting our Ethiopian brothers and sisters for the step taken to cease hostilities, open up humanitarian corridors, and restore services. This mutual agreement will create the necessary environment to nurture durable peace and political stability in Ethiopia.

I commend the AU Panelists, H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Nigeria and AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa; H.E Uhuru Kenyatta, former President of Kenya; H.E Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuke former South African deputy President, for their facilitation and tireless efforts, wisdom and patience, and most of all, for their unity of purpose that brought this day of peace that heralds a bright future for the people of Ethiopia.

To the People and Government of South Africa, I say thank you, for hosting the Ethiopia peace talks.

In light of our regional spirit of collective action, I urge our Ethiopian brothers and sisters to seize the opportunity provided by this agreement to usher in a new era of peace and prosperity for their beloved country.