By Giulia Paravicini
NAIROBI (Reuters) – The African Union has invited Ethiopia’s government and rival Tigray forces to peace talks in South Africa this weekend aimed at ending a two-year conflict, in a letter seen by Reuters.
Three diplomatic sources, speaking on condition of anonymity confirmed the authenticity of the Oct. 1 letter, written by AU Commission Chair Moussa Faki to Debretsion Gebremichael, who leads Tigray’s ruling political party.
One of the sources said neither side had yet confirmed its participation.
Contacted by Reuters, Getachew Reda, a spokesman for Debretsion Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) said he was not aware of imminent talks.
There were no immediate responses to requests for comment from Ethiopian government spokespersonn Legesse Tulu, the prime minister’s national security adviser, Redwan Hussein, and the prime minister’s spokesperson, Billene Seyoum.
(Reporting by Giulia Paravicini; Editing by Aaron Ross and Clarence Fernandez)
