Ethiopia : Time For Peace Consolidation

Ethiopia is known to be one of the most developed countries in Africa. It is also known to be a country with a rich ancient history. With a population of over 110 million people, Ethiopia for the past years, has been dragged into a multifaceted internal conflict, particularly in its northern region where the government and the TPLF rebels have fought a senseless war. For the past two years, the conflict has reportedly left thousands dead, two million internally displaced, five million in need of immediate humanitarian assistance and over 60,000 people fleeing to refugee camps in neighboring Sudan. After years of fighting, neither the government nor the TPLF rebels has won. The winners have been, the foreign multinational industries who have made brisk cash from the supply of arms and exploitation of mineral resources. 
But since time heals wounds and with the two warring factions back to their senses, time has now come for the different stakeholders to pick the remaining pieces of what is left and chart the way forward. This they did in November 2022 by endorsing a well-tailored peace agreement in Pretoria (South Africa). Three months after, the agreement has not only paved the way for doctors who had watched patients die for lack of basic medicine in the months when aid was blocked to start saving lives, but also led to the handing over of heavy weapons to the government by the TPLF rebels. Apart from the resumption of humanitarian aid, life has improved as electricity has been restored to the main towns, and two local banks are now permitting small cash withdrawals for the first time since November 2020. Phone connections have been restored in the main towns. Hundreds of vehicles carrying Eritrean soldiers drove north through Tigray, raising hopes among some residents that the soldiers were finally withdrawing. 
Though the deal largely masterminded by the African Union, did not mention the withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a tweet after holding talks via telephone with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed reiterated that the “ongoing withdrawal of Eritrean troops is a critical step in securing hope and peace.” Ethiopia desperately needs money to rebuild its economy. It has a $907 million financing pact with ...