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The Ethiopian/Eritrean frontier remained quiet today (Monday), government sources in both countries confirmed. Consultations were held in Addis Ababa to determine the next step after what the Ethiopian government called a “total victory for operation sunset,” on Friday. “Deliberations are going on to allow the government to take a stand on whether or not it will declare a ceasefire,” Ethiopian government spokesperson Salome Tadesse told IRIN today.
Eritrea accepted an OAU peace plan on Saturday and said that the “ceasefire depends on Ethiopians, since they are the ones putting up conditions.” Eritrean government spokesman Yemane Ghebre Meskel told IRIN Ethiopia had not scored a victory since Eritrea lost few soldiers or equipment in the offensive and “no single Eritrean was captured”. “They made territorial gains but we destroyed 40 tanks, captured 171 prisoners in the four days of intensive fighting,” he said. “We killed and wounded thousands of their soldiers.” The conflict has displaced thousands, killed and maimed many and led to destruction of property.
The OAU has called for an immediate end to the fighting now that the two countries have accepted its blueprint for peace, press reports said.
This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions
