AU Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo has told the BBC that efforts to end the war in northern Ethiopia are "slow" but "moving forward".

Former Nigerian President Mekele Meets with TPLF Chairman Debre Tsion G. Michael

Today, he met with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed in Bale Robe, Oromia Region.

Olusegun Obasanjo, who has been trying to mediate between the war-torn federal government and the TPLF; “There is a change but it is slow. Today's situation is much better than it was six months ago. ”

“What we are doing, All we have to do is work to create trust [among the fighters], ”Obasanjo said. He said the negotiation effort they are leading is aimed at achieving two results.

Obasanjo told the BBC they wanted humanitarian aid and a ceasefire.

"We want an official end to the conflict," Obasanjo said.

The African Union (AU) Special Representative for the Horn of Africa, Olusegun Obasanjo, has repeatedly called for an end to the fighting in northern Ethiopia.

Recently seen with the leaders of the warring parties: The day after the Tigrayan forces and the Eritrean army exchanged fire on the border.

Obasanjo on Tuesday, May 23, 2014. He reportedly met with TPLF Chairman Debre Tsion G. Michael on "regional issues."

Obasanjo, Thursday, May 25, 2014 He was accompanied by a delegation led by Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on a working visit to Bale Robe.

"I do not want to set a time limit"

Former Nigerian president says African Union attaches great importance to Ethiopia's civil war Asked if the peace deal is imminent: "I do not want to set a deadline," he said.

“They have now stopped firing for humanitarian reasons. This humanitarian ceasefire must grow into a negotiated ceasefire. That agreement should move us to a formal non-violent agreement, ”he said.

Obasanjo is not sure how long it will take for the warring parties to reach an agreement not to seek conflict.

"I do not know if this will be achieved in 1 month, 3 months, 6 months or a year, but we will achieve it before many expect it," he told the BBC.

Stop conflict, stop conflict, not seek conflict. . . what does it mean


Although Humanitarian Truce and Cease Fire have a key role to play in quelling conflict in one area,


 The details of the implementation and the requirements for reaching this agreement vary.


A few years ago, the United States and Russia, two of which were directly or indirectly involved in the Syrian civil war, reached an agreement on cessation of hostilities.


Samir Puri, then a professor of war studies at King's College of London; He explained the differences between the Humanitarian Truce, the Cessation of hostilities, the Cease Fire, and the Armistice.


Conflict (Truce)


According to Dr. Samir, an agreement has been reached to end the conflict. They say that there is a "very little negotiated agreement" between the militants to temporarily cease fire.

Fighters are not required to reach a formal and orderly agreement to reach a truce.

With this decision, the warring parties can agree to end the long-running war and halt military operations.

According to Dr. Samir, the armed forces may decide to end the conflict not only on all fronts but also on a few fronts. In order to provide humanitarian assistance, fighters may have to make decisions to end the conflict.

Cessation of hostilities

According to Dr. Samir, Cessation of hostilities has a much more formal system than a truce, although it does not have the details and details of a Cease Fire.

The Armed Forces have reached an agreement on the Cessation of hostilities. They explain that they agreed not to fight and that their army should refrain from military activity.

However, says Dr. Samir: "However, the Cessation of hostilities does not mean a ceasefire." But this non-violent agreement provides a good opportunity for a lasting ceasefire.

According to Dr. Samir, fighters who agree not to pursue a conflict can easily fall back into a war of attrition.

Ceasefire

Ceasefire agreement reached between fighters: "It means that the armed forces are officially committed to ending the conflict with an agreement that governs all parties," said Dr. Samir.

A ceasefire could include disarmament, withdrawal of troops, and the liberation of war zones.

Conflict Resolution (Armistice)

According to Dr. Samir, Armistice is coming to an end.

When the two sides reach an agreement on a lasting peace after the ceasefire, the two sides say they have almost agreed to end the conflict.

Agreements to end conflict come with legal obligations.

For example, Dr. Samir explains that the two world wars have officially ended with the signing of the Armistice Agreements.