Nigeria’s initiative to break Ethiopia’s defiance of border ruling
ABUJA, 24 Nov, 2004 -- Nigeria has initiated moves to
intervene in the lingering row between Ethiopia and Eritrea as the current
chair of the African Union (AU), Nigerian Presidential spokesperson Oluremi Oyo
said here Wednesday.
Briefing reporters on the details of Nigerian President
Obasanjo's visit to Algeria, Oyo said Obasanjo had initiated a discussion on
the sidelines of the New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD)
implementation committee meeting in Algiers with the leaders of the two
countries.
"Nigerian president met for more than two hours with
Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi," She said.
She added Obasanjo, who is also current chairman of the
African Union, had mandated the foreign ministers of Algeria, South Africa and
Nigeria to proceed to Addis Ababa on Wednesday to continue with the effort to
end the tension between the two countries.
There had been increased tension along the borders of the
two countries since Eritrea’s independence in 1991.
A demilitarized zone demarcated by the United Nations still
remains a major issue of concern between the two countries. Article uses
material from (Xinhuanet).
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(AFP) Nov 24, 2004