Ethiopia/Eritrea: Cautious optimism on stalled peace process

The recent announcement by Ethiopia that it would accept "in principle" a ruling to end a simmering border dispute with Eritrea was broadly welcomed, but the complex issue of when and how the two countries can enter into dialogue to try and normalise relations still remains. Ethiopia had refused, until now, to respect an April 2002 ruling by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, part of the Permanent Court of Arbitration based in The Hague. UN special envoy to the Horn of Africa, Lloyd Axworthy believes the international community should work to build on the momentum generated by the new pledge by Ethiopia.