The two sides of the Ethiopian conflict agree on a truce, and the African Union hails the start of a "new era"

Warring parties in the two-year bloody conflict in Ethiopia's Tigray region have agreed to a truce, the African Union mediator announced Wednesday after marathon talks in South Africa.

The special mediator, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, said that "the two parties to the Ethiopian conflict have formally agreed to a systematic, orderly, smooth and coordinated cessation of hostilities and disarmament."

In a press conference, he welcomed "the beginning of a new era for Ethiopia."

Last week, the African Union launched the first official talks between the government and the rebels, seeking a peaceful solution to a conflict that has killed thousands of people and caused a humanitarian crisis in Tigray.

The Tigray rebels welcomed the agreement and said they had made "concessions".

"We are ready to implement and speed up this agreement," said Getachew Reda, head of their delegation.

"Ultimately, the fact that we have reached a point where we have now signed an agreement says a lot about the willingness of both sides to put the past behind them to chart a new path to peace."

A joint statement between the two parties said Addis Ababa and the rebels stood to "enhance" cooperation with humanitarian agencies.

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