Photo: Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation in Ethiopia
Photo: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Minister Naledi Pandor
Dr. Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, visited Ethiopia, on 23 April 2023, at the invitation of the Government of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.
Upon arrival Dr. Pandor was welcomed by the South African Embassy in Addis Ababa, and by South Africa’s Deputy Permanent Representative to the African Union, Ms . Matheko Letsie.
The purpose of the visit was also to take stock of the lessons learned from the African Union-led and the Ethiopian-owned peace process. During her visit, H.E. Dr Pandor, held bilateral meeting on issues of mutual interest, with her counterpart, H.E. the Deputy Prime Minister & the Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr Demeke Mekonnen.
H.E. Dr Naledi Pandor, delivered a speech, during a High- Level Recognition Ceremony for those who played critical roles for the success of the Peace Process in the Nothern Ethiopia.
In her speech, and speaking as guest of honour at the Peace For All Recognition Programme in Addis Ababa, Dr. Naledi Pandor commended Ethiopia for embracing peace and
for showing its “true spirit” and ability to resolve conflict through dialogue.
Pandor said Ethiopia’s commitment to peace was encouraging and gave everyone hope that silencing the guns in Africa was no longer a slogan but a strong possibility.
Ethiopia’s federal government and leaders in the war-torn Tigray region signed a peace accord on 2 November last year, followed by an implementation deal 10 days later. Ethiopia’s federal government and leaders of the country’s northern Tigray region agreed to end two years of war.
The deal, brokered by the AU in the South Africa, was a triumph for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Minister Pandor said the gathering of parties in Pretoria reflected the true commitment to address conflict on the continent and ensure that we were led in peace. Dr. Pandor also honoured the AU for its role in brokering the deal. “These are African solutions to African problems,” she said.
“We hope that out of this agreement, the people of Africa will realise that conflict is what is causing us to experience under-development and that peace is the only route to development, and so all of us must exercise every effort to ensure that we enjoy peace on the African continent.”
She commended all parties for their steps taken to implement the Pretoria agreement and appealed that in the process of implementing the agreement, “no child, woman or person must be left behind”.
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