Addis Ababa, 14 June 2016: The Chairperson of the Commission of the African Union (AU), Dr. Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, expresses deep concern over reports of border clashes between Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Tsorena border area.

The Chairperson calls on the two countries to exercise utmost restraint and to refrain from any statement and action likely to aggravate the situation and further endanger regional stability.

She underlines that the two countries can resolve their differences and lay the foundation for lasting peace between them only through the recourse of peaceful means.

She notes with regret that 16 years after the signing, under the AU auspices, of the Algiers Peace Agreement, the peace process between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains stalled.

In this respect, and in line with the relevant pronouncements made by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government over the past years, she reiterates the AU's readiness to assist the parties address the challenges at hand and normalize their relations.