The African Union (AU) honoured the gallant services of twenty-one African military and civilian personnel serving under the AU Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (MVCM) stationed in the Tigray region of Ethiopia since December 2022.
These valiant men and women from Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa received AU service medals for painstakingly carrying out their duties of monitoring, verifying and ensuring compliance with implementing the Permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA). Their responsibilities included monitoring the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration (DDR) process, the resettlement of internally displaced persons, the resumption of economic and social services, the facilitation of humanitarian access and the protection of civilians in the Tigray region.
Speaking during the investiture at the AU Headquarters, H.E. Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU Commission Chairperson, commended the team of African experts for their dedication and services in the spirit of African solidarity and reiterated the AU's commitment to durable peace in Ethiopia. He also seized the opportunity to encourage the Government and people of Ethiopia to sustain the momentum for peace and stability by working closely together to "achieve peace through what has remained a truly Ethiopian-owned and led process since the signing of the Agreement".
H.E. Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, cum AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa and Chair of the AU High-Level Panel on the Ethiopian Peace Process, saluted the recipients for their grit and told them, "The medal you are receiving today is an appreciation for the great services you have rendered and will continue to render to our beloved Africa and her people". On behalf of the High-Level Panel, he also applauded the parties to the COHA for their commitment to peace and appreciated the partners who continue to support the Ethiopian peace process.
On his part, Amb. Bankole Adeoye, AU Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, specially congratulated the women recipients of the AU service medal, underlining the AU's commitment to advancing women's agency in peace processes by implementing UN Security Council Resolution 1325, promoting the Femwise-Africa Network, and the Gender, Peace and Security Program (GPSP) as well as relevant UN and AU policies and instruments. He reiterated the AU's commitment to implementing the Ethiopian peace process, noting that "Ethiopia is the first country to benefit from the AU Peace Fund, receiving one million US dollars ($1,000,000) in support of its DDR process."
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H.E. Amb. Jainaba Jagne, Permanent Representative of the Republic of The Gambia to the AU and Peace and Security Council (PSC) member, representing H.E. Amb. Emilia Mkusa, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Namibia to the AU and PSC Chairperson for March 2024, hailed the medal recipients and military members in general for their bravery and heroism, stating, "We appreciate you, and we are grateful for your sacrifices as you put your lives on the line to protect us."
The African Union especially recognized the partners who remarkably supported the AU facilitation process: the African Development Bank (AfDB), Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom (UK).
Members of the diplomatic corps in Addis Ababa, representatives of bilateral and multilateral entities, and the AU Commission attended the colourful ceremony, preceded by the Inaugural Strategic Reflection on the Implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) in Ethiopia.
