Addis Ababa — TPLF ( Tigray People's Liberation Front ) has commenced the first round handing over of heavy weapons to the federal government of Ethiopia in accordance with the Pretoria peace agreement, the National Defense Force disclosed.

Following the peace agreement signed in South Africa and Kenya, TPLF has handed over the first round of heavy weapons to the federal government of Ethiopia yesterday.

Military observers from different countries attended the handing over that took place in Agula camp, 36 kilometers from the regional capital, Mekelle.

Official of the Ethiopian National Defense Force, Lieutenant colonel Aleme Tadele confirmed of receiving different heavy weapons located around Agula, in accordance to the agreement signed between the federal government and TPLF.

The National Defense Force has commenced receiving heavy weapons from TPLF including armored tanks, various artilleries, rockets, mortars among others, Lieutenant colonel Aleme said.

"As per the peace deal, we have reached to disarmament, we have counted and received the heavy weapons in Agula where the weapons were accumulated."

African Union observer who witnessed the handing over, Brigadier General Adwa Peter said the handing over of the weapons being underway is a crucial move to help sustain the peace agreement.

The handing over of weapons being carried out as per the peace agreement provides insurance for sustainable peace by maintaining constitutionalism, the Brigadier General added.

TPLF's representative Mulugeta Gebrekristos announced that the handing over of the weapons has been officially commenced in accordance with the agreement.

Similarly, the handing over of the weapons will continue in areas where weapons are gathered, he added.

"As per the peace agreement signed in Pretoria and Nairobi, the handing over of weapons has officially begun in Agula today. The heavy weapons accumulated in Agula have been handed over in the presence of pertinent actors.

The handing over was peaceful, demonstrating sense of collaboration and cooperation. There are also other centers where weapons are accumulated. We will conduct the handing over with similar manner.

We are working with confidence that from now on there should be no chance to open doors for conflict other than peaceful mechanisms. Therefore, peace is vital for our people. We will work with all our capacity to realize this."