Eritrea and Ethiopia declare an end to long-standing war
Eritrea and Ethiopia have declared an end to their long-standing “state of war”.
The neighbouring countries say their decades-long border dispute is now over, promising to open embassies, develop ports and resume flights as the two nations look to build bilateral ties for the first time.
Eritrea-Ethiopia conflict over
“Ethiopia and Eritrea are determined to close a costly chapter and eager to make up for lost opportunities, putting the interest and aspirations of their people at the center,” chief of staff to Ethiopia’s PM, Fitsum Arega, said on Twitter.
Arega also revealed the five key points of an agreement signed by Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki Ethiopia Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed:
- The “state of war” between the two countries has come to an end.
- The two countries will “forge close political, economic, social, cultural and security cooperation”.
- Trade, economic and diplomatic ties will resume.
- The UN-backed boundary ruling reached in 2002 will be fully implemented.
- Eritrea and Ethiopia will work together on maintaining regional peace.
UN hails landmark peace efforts
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the recent peace efforts of Eritrea and Ethiopia. He also said that current sanctions placed on Eritrea might become obsolete if the two countries are successful in implementing a peace agreement after decades of conflict.
One of Eritrea’s biggest complaints in its long-standing border dispute with Ethiopia has been the UN’s approach to dealing with the two countries. Eritrea has been subject to sanctions and constant warnings from the security council while Ethiopia has received little pressure despite violating the border ruling that states disputed territory belongs to Eritrea.
Featured image: By Skilla1st – Own work using: Eritrea location map.svg by NordNordWest, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25055977
