Despite the fact that conflict in the north of Ethiopia looks to be on the decline, a lasting peace cannot be achieved unless the parties involved amicably resolve their disputes.
The TPLF commander, Debretsion Gebremichael, emphasised that the almost two-year-long conflict could only be resolved with the withdrawal of Eritrean military forces and Amhara militias during the first visit to the area by a high-level government delegation following the signing of the peace agreement.
According to a representative of the Tigray People's Liberation Front, the region had been "invaded" by the army, and as a result, residents were being "killed, massacred."
It is hard to objectively establish the state of affairs in Tigray due to restrictions on mobility and communication.
The federal authorities have received backing from fighters from the nearby Amhara region and Eritrea.
Regarding whether or not these soldiers intend to leave Tigray, the Ethiopian government has remained mute. This is also not a part of the peace accord between the government and the TPLF insurgents.
Olusegun Obasanjo, the ambassador for the African Union, is mediating the talks and has asked that "foreign forces" leave.
Ethiopia's main carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has said that it would resume running commercial flights to the conflict-torn region of Tigray on Wednesday after an eighteen-month ban (December 28).
More signs of normalcy are emerging, such the partial restoration of telephone and financial services.