U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken had meetings on Tuesday afternoon with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on the implementation of the November 2 Cessation of Hostilities Agreement and the urgent need for all Eritrean forces to leave Ethiopia, according to State Department spokesperson Ned Price.

Secretary Blinken and the Prime Minister “discussed the urgent need for all Eritrean forces to leave Ethiopia,” Ned Price told reporters.

The peace deal signed in South Africa on November 2 required the withdrawal of combatants from Eritrea from Tigray which was to happen concurrently with the disarmament of Tigrayan fighters.

However, nothing has been officially announced about the withdrawal of the Eritrean forces from Tigray or any process of the start of withdrawal.

In a sit-down with Abiy at US-Africa Leaders Summit, Mr. Blinken told Abiy he faced a “historic moment” to move his country toward lasting peace.

Prime Minister Abiy posted a message to his Twitter account: “We held a candid and productive meeting,” with Secretary Blinken. “I expressed our appreciation to the US for their contribution in our efforts to achieve peace. For decades Ethiopia has been a key ally of the U.S. in Africa and we discussed ways of strengthening our partnership,” he said.

Tigray rebel forces said a week ago that 65 percent of their forces have “disengaged” from the frontline.

Secretary Blinken “commended steps taken by the Ethiopian government to improve humanitarian access and begin the restoration of essential services”, spokesman Ned Price said. “The Secretary urged accelerated implementation of the agreement and access to the conflict areas by international human rights monitors,” he said.