Proximity talks continue in Algiers

Meanwhile, the proximity talks in Algiers went into a third day since their resumption on Tuesday, with no sign of any breakthrough, journalists reported. The talks are being conducted by the Ethiopian and Eritrean foreign ministers, Seyoum Mesfin and Haile Woldensae, through an international team of intermediaries. On Wednesday Seyoum said he had asked the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) to adapt its peace plan -
previously accepted by both sides - to meet the realities on the ground in the wake of Ethiopia's successes on the battlefield. An Algerian diplomat told journalists on Thursday that Eritrea was seeking guarantees that Ethiopia had withdrawn from its territory. Ahmed Ouyahia, special envoy to President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, the current OAU Chairman, said on Thursday
that Ethiopia's declaration of a cessation of hostilities was a big step towards resolving the conflict. "The fact that Ethiopia has stopped fighting will help put together the best conditions for a successful completion of the proximity talks," he said.