Foreign Minister Alfred Nzo has noted with grave concern the reports of escalating fighting between Ethiopian and Eritrean ground troops, supported by aircraft, in the Badme and Tsorona border areas. These reports suggest that both sides are violating their commitment to the airstrike moratorium agreed to by both parties in June 1998.
The Minister said that the South African Government fully supports the United Nations Security Council Resolution of 10 February 1999, which urges both sides to cease hostilities and to enter into direct negotiations with one another.
Furthermore, he believes that every effort should be made to implement the Framework Agreement which was approved by the OAU Central Organ Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management and Resolution at its 17 December 1998 meeting in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
ISSUED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
PRETORIA
11 FEBRUARY 1999