The Ethiopian government and Tigrayan rebels have had "direct engagements", the African Union said in a statement made public on Thursday, in the first official confirmation of such contacts between the two warring sides. The government has been locked in a grinding conflict with the rebels, but in recent weeks both sides have mooted the possibility of talks to end the 21-month war, with Ethiopia pushing for the AU to lead any negotiations. The rebels on the other hand want Kenya's President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been actively involved in peace efforts, to mediate between the two parties. In November 2020 Abiy ordered troops into Tigray to topple the TPLF, accusing the rebels of attacking federal army camps. The TPLF mounted a shock comeback in June last year, retaking Tigray and expanding into neighbouring Afar and Amhara, before the war reached a stalemate.

Source: Ethiopian News August 12, 2022 00:06 UTC