/ 1 March 1999

HORN CEASEFIRE IN THE WORKS?

THE Organisation of African Unity (OAU) on Monday called for an immediate end to the fighting between Ethiopia and Eritrea, now that both sides have accepted its blueprint for peace. OAU officials are expected to meet members of the Ethiopian government on Monday before heading for Asmara, where authorities said clashes are still taking place. Welcoming Eritrea’s acceptance on Saturday of its peace plan, the OAU said an immediate end to conflict will allow the plan, presented last November, to be put into effect. Addis Ababa has long accepted the 11-point plan, which calls notably for Eritrea to pull out of areas in north-west Ethiopia. The Ethiopian government is “debating” its stance ceasefire, a government source said, after the armed forces claimed “total victory” on the western front.