Addis Ababa demands Eritrean withdrawal before border demarcation

The government in Addis Ababa on Monday insisted on identification and verification "on the specific territories from which Eritrea needs to withdraw" before any other steps in the peace process could be taken because "anything less sends the message that borders can be changed by force." Ethiopia demanded a guarantee that all the land it formerly administered would be returned, followed by a restoration of the former civilian administrations, according to a statement from the Office of the Government Spokesperson. "While recognising that the withdrawal of Eritrean troops to the positions they held prior to 6 May 1998 will not prejudge the final status of the territories, in the interim, Ethiopia will not allow the forceful acquisition of its territory to stand", it added.