[PHOTOS]Launch of AU monitoring, verification and Compliance Mission in Ethiopia (AU-MVCM)

Former President  Uhuru Kenyatta together with the African Union High-Level Panel on Thursday launched the African Union’s Monitoring, Verification and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) in Mekele, Ethiopia.

The panel was led by the former President of Nigeria and High Representative for the Horn of Africa Olusegun Obasanjo

 The signing and launch of AU-MVCM is considered an important step toward securing a lasting peace for the people of northern Ethiopia.

Uhuru landed in Ethiopia on the same day for a meeting set to evaluate the Tigray peace deal.

He arrived alongside other African Union Negotiators at the capital of Tigray, Mekelle, on Thursday.

Last week, Uhuru expressed confidence that peace will soon be restored in Ethiopia’s Tigray region.

Uhuru, who is African Union Commission High-Level Panel Member, said the negotiations between the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (FDRE) and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front are moving in the right direction.

“We will enjoy not only a New Year but a Christmas of peace with a great deal of hope,” he said after the conclusion of the second peace meeting that brought together military commanders from two sides.

Uhuru said the AU is very happy and grateful to parties that have been at the centre of negotiations in the last two months.

“We are indeed making tremendous progress. It is a plus that parties have agreed to a series of activities and actions all aimed at returning the state normalcy in Tigray and Ethiopia,” he said.