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The
talks will take place as Ethiopian forces and their allies make
significant battlefield gains in the northern Tigray region,
where they have captured several large towns in the past week.
The war is rooted in a power struggle between the federal
government and Tigray authorities, who led the country's ruling
coalition until Abiy Ahmed became prime minister in 2018.
The conflict has killed thousands, displaced millions and left
hundreds of thousands on the brink of famine.
Ethiopia's government said in a statement its delegation had
left for South Africa to participate in the talks, which are
being mediated by the African Union.
"The Government of Ethiopia views the talks as an opportunity to
peacefully resolve the conflict and consolidate the improvement
of the situation on the ground," it said.
Kindeya Gebrehiwot, a spokesman for the Tigray forces, said the
Tigrayan delegation had already arrived.
He said on Twitter the focus of the talks would be on immediate
cessation of hostilities, unfettered humanitarian access, and
the withdrawal of Eritrean forces, who have fought alongside
Ethiopian federal troops during the conflict.
The Tigray delegation is being led by one of its top generals,
Tsadkan Gebretensae, and spokesman Getachew Reda, an official
familiar with the talks told Reuters.
The delegation arrived on Sunday on a U.S. military aircraft,
accompanied by the U.S. special envoy to the Horn of Africa, the
official said.
Both sides had committed to the talks in South Africa earlier
this month, but they were delayed for logistical reasons.
(Reporting by Nairobi NewsroomEditing by Alexander Winning)
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