THE SITUATION ON THE ETHIO-ERTREAN BORDER REMAINS TENSE

Military exercises and preparation of the Ethiopian Ground and Air force based in Tigray

Recent developments, as reported by WEGAHTA on its latest issue ( 2 December 2001, WEGAHTA issue # 28 ) 

WEGAHTA is an Ethiopian Weekly in Tigrigna

1. The Eritrean Army requests the UN Peacekeeper force to dismantle their positions at FORTO, on the main check point in the central section of the TSZ. 
 

According to Wogahta's reliable source within the Ethiopian Defense Forces, the Eritrean Army has officially requested to control FORTO (in Eritrea) and that the peace keeping force may move to ZALAMBESSA (in Ethiopia). The UN peacekeeper officials have rejected the Eritrean demand, as far as the Eritrean forces will not apply force to get rid of them.
 

As our source within the Ethiopian Defense Forces said, FORTO, is the main checkpoint within the TSZ in this section, and is without any doubt the main and crucial strategic point to break through to ZALAMBESSA, AYGA ALITENNA in case of any military attacks. The strategic importance could be the reason for the request of the Eritreans to occupy FORTO, and if the UN force allows them to control FORTO, it will create a great danger against the peace process and may lead to full-blown war. It should be remembered that FORTO was a command center of the Eritrean Army, with command bunkers built of reinforced concrete. The defeat of the Eritrean Army during the last war was symbolized — among other — by the capture of this militarily important point. 
 

2. Armored trucks and huge deployment of Eritrean Ground Forces around ENDA-GIORGIS. 
 

A Wogahta reporter on the ADWA-RAMA-MEREB line, referring to eye-witnesses reported: A number of Russian made military trucks with anti-aircraft, other heavy artillery pieces and with huge number of ground forces are deployed within the TSZ, around ENDA-GIORGIS. The areas are located at 10 to 20 Km distance and in areas adjacent to undisputed common border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The above-mentioned areas are situated on the road from the Mereb River to the town of ADIKUALLA in Eritrea. 
 

People residing in the area (ADWA-RAMA and in surrounding) expressed their concern to our reporter about this new development in the area. The locations, where the Eritrean army has been deployed is in the vicinity of the ADI-KUALLA-ASMARA road, which is continuously used by the UN peacekeepers and the International Red Cross – but no one protested on this recent deployment of the Eritrean Army. 
 

Whereas, on the contrary on last Wednesday the Ethiopian military officials lead by B/G/ Johannes G/Meskel met with Eritrean counterparts on the Mereb bridge; they claimed the situation throughout the two countries' border was calm and in accordance to the Alger's peace agreement. However, the facts on the ground tell a different story from what they have described. As expressed to our reporter by the inhabitants of the border areas, these confusions are of great concern to the people inhabiting the border areas. 

 

3. North – Western section - Badme 
 

As our reporter is still in the vicinity, Eritrean fully mechanized forces have occupied the strategic mountains of BUMBET, SHESHEBIT, SHELLALO and DEDDAA, and they are strengthening their positions in the area by digging fortifications. 

 

People in the near area are starting to move in fear of any military confrontation that would inflict harm on them. This information is clearly known to the Ethiopian officials as well as to the peacekeeping officials, but they remain quiet, except for some military exercises and preparation of the Ethiopian Ground and Air force based in Tigray-Ethiopia.

 

WOGAHTA