The demobilization of Tigray forces is seen as central to the November 2nd ceasefire agreement, along with the restoration of services, the resumption of humanitarian aid and the withdrawal of Eritrean forces who fought alongside the Ethiopian army but were not party to the armistice.
The conflict has created famine-like conditions for hundreds of thousands of people in the Tigray region, killing thousands and displacing millions across northern Ethiopia.
The handover was supervised by a monitoring team consisting of members from both sides and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development for East African States (IGAD) in the town of Agulai, about 30 km northeast of the provincial capital, Mekelle.
During a handover ceremony, Mulugeta Gebrechristos, representative of the Tigray Defense Forces, said that the start of disarmament will play a major role in restoring peace.
“We are working out of our belief that if we want to achieve peace, there must not be anything that opens the door to provocation. Peace is vital for all of us,” he added in a speech broadcast on Tigray TV.
“We are all (part) of one Ethiopia. We and the Tigray Defense Forces have moved from our defensive positions in peace, understanding and love,” said Alemi Tadesse, representative of the Ethiopian army.
Residents said that Eritrean soldiers withdrew from several major towns in Tigray late last month, but did not leave the territory of the region. Eritrea declined to comment on whether the troops would leave.
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