BBC News Online: World: Africa

Tensions rise over Eritreans deported by Ethiopia

A crowd of up to 100,000 people lined roads from the airport in what the BBC East Africa correspondent says was a show of unity and defiance against Ethiopia.

The government in Addis Ababa says the deportees were a security risk, but those returning to the capital said they took no part in politics.

Earlier thousands of Eritreans gathered outside the capital to remember those who died in the 30 year long struggle for independence from Ethiopia, which ended in 1991.

Flights cancelled

Meanwhile, Ethiopia has announced that it has cancelled commercial flights to its northern province of Tigray, saying it does not trust Eritrea to abide by an agreement not to use air strikes in the border conflict.

Flights to the region were suspended after an Eritrean air-raid on the town on June 5 which, according to official figures, left 49 dead and more than 150 wounded.

The flights resumed immediately after the June 15 agreement to halt air strikes.

The Eritrean Government, for its part, has accused Ethiopia of violating the accord, which was brokered by the United States.

Although Eritrean President Isayas says neither side wants all-out war, Eritrea said Ethiopia was blockading its flights and shipping and threatened to use "deterrent measures."

Mediation fails

The exchange of accusations comes a day after the Organisation of African Unity announced it had failed in its efforts to negotiate an end to the border conflict.

The OAU said it had made no progress in its efforts to mediate on talks, which centred on a four-point peace plan put forward by the US and Rwanda.

Eritrea refuses Ethiopia's precondition for direct negotiations - that Eritrean troops should pull back from the disputed areas.

The OAU said talks would continue at ministerial level.

Italy, which once ruled both territories, has expressed its concern over the collapse of mediation efforts. The failure of mediation efforts with Ethiopia has raised fears that there will be a new upsurge in fighting on the Horn of Africa.

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