More diplomatic efforts

Two representatives of the “High Level Delegation” group assigned to lead OAU peace efforts in the Ethiopia-Eritrea border war and produce the framework presented to both parties, may soon return to the region, two diplomatic sources told IRIN today (Tuesday). The group originally consisted of Zimbabwe, Burkina Faso and Djibouti, but the latter has since broken off diplomatic relations with Eritrea and is not expected to be represented. The EU is also “ready” to send a three-person mission to Ethiopia and Eritrea to pursue a peaceful solution, according to an EU statement released last Thursday. A western diplomat told IRIN today that diplomatic efforts were needed to put more “rungs on the ladder” for each side to “climb down”.

A peace mission to Eritrea and Ethiopia by Japanese diplomat Morisha Aoki last week “urged them to resolve this conflict in a peaceful manner”, Ambassador Aoki told IRIN today. The special envoy said that the alternative to a peaceful solution was “total destruction of one party or the other - or both.” He also said the OAU peace bid was “stuck at the entrance”. Given the current security situation, “we [Japan] can’t continue any economic cooperation with them [the two countries]. That’s very unfortunate”, the diplomat added.