South Africa-hosted peace talks between an Ethiopian government delegation and Tigrayan forces began Tuesday to find a peaceful solution to the bloody war amid growing concerns for civilians.
The South African president's spokesman, Vincent Maguinya, said that the peace talks hosted by his country "began today and will end next Sunday."
It is the first official talks since the outbreak of the war two years ago.
Maguenya added that "his country is ready to provide assistance to the peace talks," hoping that the talks will lead to lasting peace for the people of Ethiopia.
The Tigray People's Liberation Front announced - on Monday - the arrival of its delegation to South Africa, to participate in peace talks with the Ethiopian government led by the African Union.
RUF spokesman Canada Gebrehiot said the delegation's goals in the talks were to "press for an immediate cessation of hostilities", to allow unrestricted humanitarian access, and to "withdraw Eritrean forces" from Ethiopia's northern Tigray region.
Gebrehiot also stressed that "there can be no military solution" in the country.
Since November 4, 2021, clashes have been renewed in the Tigray region between the Federal Army and the Tigray People's Liberation Front with the aim of imposing control over the region.