The re-opening of border has triggered
trade, transport and peace which former foes, Eritreans and Ethiopians,
have started reaping.
trade, transport and peace which former foes, Eritreans and Ethiopians,
have started reaping.
Kjetil Tronvoll, a Norwegian professor
who follows developments in the Horn of Africa region tweeted on Friday
that Eritrean were flocking markets in Adigrat and Mekelle to buy
commodities like cement.
who follows developments in the Horn of Africa region tweeted on Friday
that Eritrean were flocking markets in Adigrat and Mekelle to buy
commodities like cement.
He added that buses could now cross without any border control.
‘‘Local trade is re-flourishing as
Eritreans and Ethiopians trade with no currency exchange
issues.Birr-Nakfa exchanged on parity on the ground. Very positive dev –
but need institutionalisation!’‘ read part of Tronvoll’s tweets.
Eritreans and Ethiopians trade with no currency exchange
issues.Birr-Nakfa exchanged on parity on the ground. Very positive dev –
but need institutionalisation!’‘ read part of Tronvoll’s tweets.
The war that broke out in 1998 over the
border and other issues killed an estimated 80,000 people before
fighting ended in 2000 in a contested peace deal.
border and other issues killed an estimated 80,000 people before
fighting ended in 2000 in a contested peace deal.
Tensions burned on over the position of
the frontier until Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, offered to end
the military standoff this year as part of a package of reforms that
have reshaped the political landscape in the
Horn of Africa and beyond.
the frontier until Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, offered to end
the military standoff this year as part of a package of reforms that
have reshaped the political landscape in the
Horn of Africa and beyond.
Thousands of people from both countries,
including soldiers waved Eritrean and Ethiopian flags, as they followed
the border opening ceremony on Tuesday in Zalambessa.
including soldiers waved Eritrean and Ethiopian flags, as they followed
the border opening ceremony on Tuesday in Zalambessa.
Zalambessa, a town located on the
Ethiopian border is part of the Misraqawi Zone of the Tigray region. It
is about 42 kilometers north of Adigrat.
Ethiopian border is part of the Misraqawi Zone of the Tigray region. It
is about 42 kilometers north of Adigrat.
Adigrat is the last important Ethiopian
city south of the border with Eritrea, and is considered to be a
strategically important gateway to Eritrea and the Red Sea.
city south of the border with Eritrea, and is considered to be a
strategically important gateway to Eritrea and the Red Sea.
Meanwhile, state affiliated Fana
Broadcasting reported on Friday that romo Liberation Front (OLF)
soldiers will return to Ethiopia from their base in Eritrea on Saturday.
Broadcasting reported on Friday that romo Liberation Front (OLF)
soldiers will return to Ethiopia from their base in Eritrea on Saturday.
According to Woldegebrieal Asgedom of the
Tigray regional state communication affairs bureau, at least 1300
soldiers will cross the Ethiopian border from Eritrea via Zalambessa.
Tigray regional state communication affairs bureau, at least 1300
soldiers will cross the Ethiopian border from Eritrea via Zalambessa.
He added that they will be given a warm welcome by residents of Adigrat and Mekelle.
OLF, which was until recently considered a
terrorist organisation by the Ethiopian government, was swayed by
ongoing political reforms to return to the country to pursue peaceful
struggle.
terrorist organisation by the Ethiopian government, was swayed by
ongoing political reforms to return to the country to pursue peaceful
struggle.
The plan this week announced it will
merge with the Oromo Federalist Congress party ‘ to represent Oromia and
the Oromia people’s interests’.
merge with the Oromo Federalist Congress party ‘ to represent Oromia and
the Oromia people’s interests’.
