Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za

3 min read | 12:20 pm CAT

In this week’s Africa Report with Radio Islam International, Senior Researcher at the University of Johannesburg Centre for Africa-China Studies Dr Emmanuel Matambo, discusses the aims of the peace talks in South Africa, which aims to end the Tigray conflict, with delegates from the Ethiopia government and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF).

The Warring parties of Ethiopia have been meeting since 25 October in South Africa’s Capital, Pretoria. The meeting comes after the fighting was shattered in late August and after informal negotiations failed in September.

Highlighting reasons for the first formal talks in Pretoria. Dr Matambo said this comes as a response to a situation escalating since the resumption of constituencies on 24 August this year.

“The talks are an indication that the African Union has put Warring parties under pressure and that is paying off,” he says.

Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, including the former president of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, and former South African Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who has international studies and has served at the United Nations, are mediating these talks.

According to Dr Matambo, last week, findings were presented to the African Union Human Rights Commission and stated that there is a lot of confidence in former President Uhuru Kenyatta of Kenya.

He said this is a well-balanced commission with the hopes of confidence for both parties.

Meanwhile, regarding the main demands from both sides, Dr Matambo said the Tigrayan region asked the federal government to sever the internet blockage and the blocking of services. People need access to their banks, they do not receive their salaries or have access to the internet.

He added that the four demands made by the Tigrayan region were to an extent where they were unwilling to engage in talks if the demands were not met.

“The fact they are meeting now means that they have compromised their re-constituents,” he says.

Listen to the Africa report with Moulana Sulaiman Ravat and Dr Emmanuel Matambo on Radio Islam’s podcast.