The United States Government has dispatched its Horn of African Special Envoy, Ambassador Mike Hammer to the region to push for a speedy disarmament, demobilization and the reintegration of the Tigray People’s Liberation Force (TPLF) and other armed groups in Ethiopia.

Hammer, according to a statement from the Department of State, is expected to participate in the African Union’s second meeting to review the progress in the implementation of disarmament and reintegration that was agreed upon in the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in 2022.

“In Ethiopia, SEHOA Hammer will attend the African Union’s second meeting to review implementation of the Pretoria Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) on northern Ethiopia,” said part of the statement.

Adding: “The United States remains committed to supporting the Ethiopian government and the Tigray Interim Regional Administration in achieving a lasting peace, including through an effective Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR) program for ex-combatants; an orderly and peaceful return of internally displaced persons; and advancing transitional justice and accountability.”

The exercise that initially had an overly ambitious timeline of one month was delayed when TPLF demanded for the departure of foreign forces (Eritrean and Amhara region) from northern Ethiopia.
The DDR programme seeks to disarm, demobilize and reintegrate an estimated 300,000 ex-combatants in eight regions of Ethiopia.

The Pretoria agreement ended two years of fierce conflict that claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands in Ethiopia.

Special Envoy Hammer will also discuss with Ethiopian officials their efforts to advance dialogue to end the violence in the Amhara and Oromia regions.

Hammer also expected to meet the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) officials in Djibouti to discuss the same security situation in northern Ethiopia.