World leaders have hailed the ceasefire agreement between Ethiopia's government and rebels in the northern Tigray region, which will see both sides ceasing hostilities after two years of brutal conflict.
According to international media reports, the United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed the announcement as a "welcome first step" in ending the fighting.
"It is very much a welcome first step, which we hope can start to bring some solace to the millions of Ethiopian civilians that have really suffered during this conflict," UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters.
Türkiye is pleased that an agreement was reached and we hope that this agreement will be permanent, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
US State Department spokesperson Ned Price hailed the agreement. "The African Union's announcement of the signing of a cessation of hostilities between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front represents an important step towards peace," he told reporters.
African Union president and Senegalese President Macky Sall said it was "excellent news". "I congratulate the parties and strongly encourage them to persevere on the path towards a permanent peace," he said.
The European Union congratulated both sides "for their commitment and courage towards peace", but encouraged further talks to achieve "a permanent ceasefire agreement".
