Eritrea accepts African initiative
Eritrea-Algeria, Politics, 5/25/2000

Eritrea on Wednesday celebrated its 9th independence anniversary amid violent fighting carried out by its armed forces against the Ethiopian forces on the borders between the two countries.

However, its is expected that the envoy for the African Unity Organization, who is also the Algerian minister of Justice Ahmad OuYahya to resume his talks with officials of the two countries in order to reach a cease-fire and start peace talks to end the current armed conflict between Asmara and Addis Ababa.

OuYahya had expressed his regret over the talks he had held during the two past days with officials representing the two sides. He explained he did not see in the two sides the will to reach a peace agreement that ends the border conflict started two years ago.

Meantime, the current presidency of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) currently chaired by Algeria, expressed its strong regret over not halting fighting between Eritrea and Ethiopia, in response to a call made to this effect.

In a statement released on Wednesday in Algiers, the presidency expressed deep concern over the killing of thousands of people in this conflict since the resumption of confrontation on May 12, besides displacement of hundreds of thousands of civilians Simultaneously, the organization warned that if continues this conflict will undermine security and stability in the region.

In its statement, the OAU presidency called on Ethiopia and Eritrea to put an end to the escalation and reach an agreement for ceasing fire.

On Wednesday, Eritrea repulsed a large Ethiopian attack on its central front and downed four Ethiopian Maig planes.

A statement released by the Eritrea's foreign ministry said great losses were inflicted on Addis Ababa during its large-scale attack launched on Tuesday which is the worse for its since it resumed its war, almost two weeks earlier.

Today, Eritrea welcomed the "Communiqué of the OAU on the Conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea" issued today, 24 May. In a statement, it said the OAU Communiqué requests, among other things, "Ethiopia and Eritrea to immediately implement the redeployment of their respective forces to the positions they controlled prior to 6 May 1998, in conformity with paragraphs 1 & 2 of the Modalities without prejudging the final status of the territories concerned, which will be determined at the end of the delimitation and demarcation process." adding that "Eritrea has decided, for the sake of peace, to accept the OAU's appeal for de-escalation (and ) ... Announces, in accordance with the second requirement of the OAU Communiqué, that it has decided to re-deploy its forces to positions held before 6 May 1998. Eritrea will begin this redeployment at midnight 25th May on the Zalanbessa area."

Ethiopia indicated rejection today to the Eritrean acceptance of the OAU initiative saying there is no confidence in Eritrea in that it may use any period of peace to regroup its forces. Ethiopia indicated its continuance of the current course of action adding in a statement "Eritrea's aggression against Ethiopia is being reversed step by step through the heroic efforts of the armed forces. The crumbling of positions held by Eritrea in the Mereb-Zalanbessa-Alitena front is in full view. Although Ethiopia always preferred the road of peace to regain its sovereignty over its occupied territories, the OAU peace process was not allowed to succeed due to the long-standing intransigent position of the Eritrean regime."

Yesterday, Ethiopia said it had successful offensives at the Zalambessa-Egala front over the course of the past two days, "much Ethiopian territory has been liberated, including all the land around Irob that had been occupied by the Eritrean army." In addition, the Ethiopian air and ground forces have captured numerous strategic positions and that the Ethiopian air force suffered no damages. At the Zalambessa subfront, the Ethiopian forces smashed the Eritrean bunkers, which stretched from Bekhel-Aiga across to Sobia, and totally liberated Menoksito and Nedewina. In the vicinity of Irob, Indalgeda, Alitena, Aiga, Wankoba and Indabakuma were also liberated, Ethiopia said. At the Egala subfront, the Ethiopian forces captured the strategic military positions of Sebo, Unshihak, Endahawaria, Adi Kutu and Kudwera after launching a successful attack on the right flank. As a result of an offensive launched on the left flank, the Ethiopian forces demolished fourteen kilometers of Eritrean trenches around Mailiva. The Ethiopian defense forces, which are continuing to advance, inflicted heavy damage on the Eritrean troops. At the Rama subfront, the Ethiopian forces captured the crucial positions of Endagergis and Kisad-Ika. These positions are located on the main road that leads from Adiquala to Rama. Fighting continues at the Zalambessa-Egala front, Ethiopia said.

Meantime, calls continue from international organizations and regional countries for a stop to the fighting.

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