Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London
EU and Norway Mark Third Anniversary of Ethiopia’s Cessation of Hostilities Agreement
Mekelle/Tel Aviv/Nairobi/Pretoria/London —4November 2025
The Delegation of the European Union to Ethiopia, together with the diplomatic missions of all EU member states and Norway, issued a joint statement marking the third anniversary of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) between the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).
Signed on 2 November 2022, the CoHA brought an end to a devastating two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia. In their statement, the EU and Norwegian missions commended both parties for maintaining the ceasefire and noted progress in several key areas — including the restoration of basic services, expanded humanitarian access, and the launch of disarmament and reintegration programmes. The diplomats also recognized steps taken to facilitate the return of some internally displaced persons (IDPs).
The joint statement underscored the need to sustain and consolidate peace in northern Ethiopia and the wider Horn of Africa region. The signatories reiterated their readiness to support ongoing CoHA-related processes, emphasizing that IDP returns must comply fully with international humanitarian law and best practices.
They further highlighted the importance of credible, victim-centred transitional justice mechanisms and called for renewed political dialogue between the CoHA signatories ahead of Ethiopia’s upcoming general elections.
“Accountability, respect for human rights — particularly those of women and girls — and reconciliation are essential for healing and justice across all conflict-affected regions,” the statement said.
The diplomats also urged that other conflicts in Ethiopia be addressed through peaceful dialogue and encouraged all parties to engage constructively in the National Dialogue process, which aims to foster unity and long-term stability in the country.
