Concerned about the conflict between the EPRDF and OLF, the U.S. government and the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) arranged a meeting in Mekele which reportedly produced an immediate ceasefire agreement in mid-April. The two sides stressed the need to prepare the ground for regional elections, according to a statement broadcast by Ethiopian radio on April 16. According to this agreement, both sides will recall their forces to their respective camps within a week.

The agreement reportedly required 15,000 OLF fighters to go into specially-created camps. An additional 5,000 fighters will follow later and the EPRDF military presence will also be scaled down.

Both sides also agreed to pave the way to hold “free and just” regional elections. The proposed elections have been postponed several times due to hostilities.