Armed forces in northern Ethiopia's Tigray region have agreed to a ceasefire and would accept an African Union-led peace process.

"We stand ready to adhere to an immediate and amicable cessation of hostilities," the armed forces, led by the Tigray People's Liberation Front, said on Sunday.

Ethiopian government spokesman Legesse Tulu did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The government had previously said it was ready for talks with no preconditions.

War since late 2020

In November 2020, a war broke out in Tigray, which also spread to neighboring regions.

A ceasefire was agreed in March, fueling hopes for peace talks.

In August, however, fighting broke out again.

Fighting in Africa's second most populous nation has displaced millions, killed thousands of civilians and plunged parts of Tigray into famine.