From 17-21 July, UNOAU participated in an AU workshop to validate the Monitors Handbook for the AU Monitoring Verification and Compliance Mission (AU-MVCM) in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The workshop was attended by representatives from the AU Commission, the AU-MVCM, AU Member States contributing personnel to the AU-MVCM (Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa), representatives from Ethiopia and Tigray Regional Administration, UNOAU and African Development Bank.

The objectives of the workshop were to: 1) validate a structured and practical handbook tailored to the operational realities of AU-MVCM monitors; 2) consolidate lessons learned and best practices; 3) ensure alignment of the Handbook with Comprehensive Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (COHA) framework; and 4) promote AU values, international standards and professionalism across all AU-MVCM activities.

The handbook is a critical operational tool that will guide the AU Monitors as they continue their vital work on the ground and provides technical insight to enhance monitoring, verification, and compliance in support of peace in the Tigray region. It equally lays a solid foundation for the Mission’s work. It provides a flexible framework that will continue to evolve, updated and refined, in response to new dynamics, emerging challenges, and lessons learned from the field.