The primary task of the Special Envoys is to engage all sides to the conflict with a view to ending hostilities, creating conditions for an inclusive national dialogue to resolve all issues that led to the conflict, and restoring peace and stability to Ethiopia. AU Special Envoys: Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia; Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique; Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of the Republic of South Africa – Addis Standard
The current African Union Chair and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has appointed three African “distinguished Statespersons”: Joaquim Chissano, former President of the Republic of Mozambique; Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, former President of the Republic of Liberia; Kgalema Motlanthe, former President of the Republic of South Africa – as Special Envoys of the African Union to help to mediate between “the parties to conflict” in Ethiopia, a statement released by the office of the AU Chairperson said.
The statement was released after talks between President Sahle-Work Zewde and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.
President Sahle-Work traveled to South Africa today in “her capacity as Special Envoy of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.”
President Ramaphosa has expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for accepting this initiative, and affirming the cooperation of the Ethiopian government in facilitating the work of the Special Envoys.
AU Chairperson and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
The fighting between the Ethiopian federal armed forces and the Tigrayan armed forces started on November 04 after PM Abiy gave order to federal forces to start offensive against TPLF in Tigray after he said the TPLF “took measures” and “tried to rob the Northern Command,” based in Mekelle, the capital. He also accused TPLF “opened war through Dashlah.”
Chair of the @_AfricanUnion HE President @CyrilRamaphosa today received HE President Sahle-Work Zewde of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia, who paid a visit to South Africa in her capacity as Special Envoy of HE Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed of the Federal Republic of Ethiopia.
— AUChair2020 (@AUChair2020) November 20, 2020