The federal government and Tigrayan rebels signed an agreement sketching out the roadmap for the detailed implementation of a peace pact that the two sides concluded in South Africa ten days ago.

While signing the agreement in the presence of the African Union mediators in Nairobi, Field Marshal Berhanu Jula, chief of staff of the federal Armed Forces, and General Tadesse Worede, commander-in-chief of the Tigray rebel forces said they were committed to implementing the Pretoria Agreement.

“The parties have agreed to facilitate unhindered humanitarian access to all in need of assistance in Tigray and neighbouring regions,” a joint statement said.

The deal shall go into immediate effect, mediator Olusegun Obasanjo said.

The two sides have also agreed to establish a joint committee to implement the agreement to disarm fighters with the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) and entry of the federal army into the Tigrayan capital of Mekele, the statement said.

Disarmament will start on Nov. 15, and orientation by the commanders for their respective forces will take place over a period of seven days,  the declaration showed.

“Disarmament of heavy weapons will be done concurrently with the withdrawal of foreign and non-ENDF forces from the region,” the declaration said.