by Engidu Woldie
ESAT News (July 9, 2018)
Leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea have signed a landmark declaration announcing the state of war between the two countries “has come to an end,” and “a new era of peace and friendship has been opened.”
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today signed a declaration in Eritrean capital Asmara, where Ahmed was on a two day official visit. It was a first visit by an Ethiopian leader in over two decades, marking the end of animosity and bitterness, a result of a two year senseless border war between 1998 and 2000.
The two countries have agreed to implement the decision by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission that was establish in 2000 to delimit and demarcate the border between the two countries. “The decision on the boundary between the two countries will be implemented,” the declaration between the two leaders reads.
They have also agreed to forge cooperation in the areas of politics, economy and security; while also resume transport, trade and communications.
“The two governments will endeavor to forge intimate political, economic, social, cultural and security cooperation that serves and advances the vital interests of their people’s,” the declaration states.
The two countries have also decided to resume diplomatic ties and “to jointly endeavor to ensure regional peace, development and cooperation.”
The two leaders caught the people on both sides by surprise when they, in few weeks after the first overtures for peace by Ahmed, sprung into action and get rid of a specter of war and put an end to two decades of deadlock.
The reception in Asmara for Prime Minister Ahmed was an exception, a rare scene in a city with a population of a little over 800,000. It looked like no one stayed home on Sunday with people from all walks of life flocked at the city’s main boulevards and squares, singing and dancing in festivity, hopeful about what the future brings.
“The tumultuous welcome accorded to Prime Minister Abiy underscores how much the people of Eritrea cherish peace…Plaudits for Dr. Abiy for the bold political choice he has taken that will recoup lost time and opportunity in the past 20 years.. We are with you,” Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki said at a dinner he hosted in honor of Prime Minister Ahmed, according to the Eritrean Ministry of Information.
Abiy Ahmed has also addressed the dinner reception in Tigrinya, one of the official languages of Eritrea, to the delight of the Eritrean President and other guests. “Enough of war & news of imminent war.. I congratulate the peoples of Eritrea & Ethiopia as we embark on a promising chapter of peace and stability by bringing to an end the phase of no-war, no-peace.” Ahmed said.