The Ethiopian Federal Police announced that it has entered and started operation in the Tigray region’s capital Mekelle to secure federal institutions.
“Following the peace agreement the Ethiopian government and Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed in Pretoria, the Federal Police will be undertaking secure protection of federal institutions such as airports, electric stations, telecom services, banks, and other similar establishments which deliver services to the people,” said the Ethiopian Federal Police in a statement.
The Federal Police had entered and been operating in the Tigray region to create stability among the people, encouraging their return to their homes, and conducting peace and security activities, according to the Federal Police.
Redwan Hussein, the Prime Minister's National Security Advisor, said after the government’s high-level delegation’s visit to Mekelle that TPLF’s handing over of heavy weapons and resumption of the “Constitutional duty of ENDF in Mekele in particular” is expected to be executed until Thursday, Dec 29 as per the Nairobi agreement.
Following the peace accord dealt with between the two parties in South Africa, the implementation of the peace process is quickening. In this regard, this week saw the visit made to Mekelle by the high-level government delegation, ambassadors, and representatives of the international community, coupled with concerted efforts of restoring basic services in the Tigray region.
Ethiopian Airlines started its regular daily flights on Dec 29 to Mekelle. The landing of the first flight the airline made to Mekelle was filled with poignant situations of reunion of long-separated families and emotional scenes.
Ethio Telecom also disclosed that it is conducting a telecom connectivity test to restore telecommunication services in Mekelle.
According to Redwan Hussein, PM Abiy gave instructions to CEOs to further expedite the resumption of services in Tigray during the briefing the delegation had with the Premier regarding the Mekelle visit.
In the two-year-long devastating war in Tigray that erupted in November 2020, the Ethiopian government announced the evacuation of its forces from Mekelle declaring an unconditional, unilateral ceasefire on June 28, 2021.
