Eighteen months past, since Ethiopia declared war on Eritrea, there has been a series of facilitation and mediation processes to resolve the conflict peacefully. While the ultimate gaol of the OAU peace process is to find a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, its output is the delimitation and demarcation of the border. From the very outset, Eritrea has been making positive contributions towards the peaceful resolution of the conflict. Whereas, Ethiopia has been and is still dragging its feet, preferring to continue war instead.

It is to be recalled that, Ethiopia and Eritrea have accepted the Framework Arrangement and the Modalities of Implementation. While Eritrea has accepted the Technical arrangements, Ethiopia has rejected it saying "it is inconsistent with the framework agreements", "it does not guarantee the return of the status quo ante", "it is unsatisfactory", "it hinders the implementation of the framework accord", "it has loopholes" etc.

In its statement today, Ethiopia defines the phrase "status quo ante", which does not exist in the whole OUA peace package [a document of over 10 000 words], as "the redeployment of troops to the positions they occupied prior to 6 May 1998". In addition it said that, "only after the status quo ante has been restored can other steps in the peace process, such as demarcation and delimitation of the border, be taken". Ethiopia says, the restoration of the status quo ante, "is a crucial step in the peace process"

What does the Framework Agreement, which Ethiopia claims to have accepted, say about its concerns?

The Recommendation of the Framework Agreement can be summarised in the following order:

The OAU said, "We recommend"

1. "An immediate cessation of hostilities";
2. . " Put an immediate end to any action and any form of expression likely to perpetrate or exacerbate the climate of hostility".
3. "Redeployment from Badme and its environs" [which according to Ethiopia, it means return to the status quo ante].
4. Deploy "Group of Military observers" of law and order during the interim period.
5. . "Demilitarisation".
6. "Delimitation and Demarcation of the border"
7. "An investigation to determine the origins of conflict".

The every changing Ethiopia's demand, as it stands today, is in the order of:

1. Identify "Eritrea as an aggressor" before any investigation is carried out into the incidents of 6 May 1998 and July-August 1997.
2. Return to status quo ante before cessation of hostilities.
3. Then after, other steps in the peace process, such as demarcation and delimitation of the border can take place.

What does the Technical Arrangement say about Ethiopia's concerns? The Technical Arrangement, which has been detailed on the basis of the letter and spirit of the principles contained in the OAU Framework Agreement and the Modalities, says.

1. D+2: Cessation of hostilities
2. D+50: Commencement of redeployment of Eritrean forces.
3. D+85: Redeployment of Ethiopian forces completed and verified by Peacekeeping mission.
4. D+185: Delimitation/demarcation completed

The sequence of implementation of the peace process, both in the Framework agreement and the Technical Arrangements are consistent. A glance at both documents shows that the first step is "an immediate cessation of hostilities" not "redeployment" - which Ethiopia prefers to define as "a return to status quo ante". According to the Framework agreement, the aggressor which should surely be punished, will be identified at the investigation stage.

Thus, contrary to Ethiopian's claim of "only after the status quo ante has been restored can other steps in the peace process take place"; both the Framework agreement and the Technical Arrangements, stipulate that, the first step is "cessation of hostilities", the second step is "redeployment", the third is "demilitarisation" and the fourth is "demarcation". Ethiopian's line of argument on the status quo ante is baseless, designed to frustrate the peace process and those who are working hard for the peaceful resolution of this senseless conflict.

Ethiopia is characteristically trying to create loopholes in the peace package by ridiculing the Technical Arrangements, as it did with anything that stands for peace. The fundamental cause of the whole crisis is Ethiopia's unruly by the peace package and international norms. There is no any ambiguity in any of the peace packages, about the steps of implementation of the peace process. If the OAU peace process is to attain its ultimate goal of finding a peaceful and lasting solution to the conflict, the OAU and the United Nations, who are guarantors for its scrupulous implementation, should stand against Ethiopia. It is high time to take punitive measures against Ethiopia as it is itching to start war under any pretext. Let there be peace in our region. God Bless