Ethiopian Airlines said on Tuesday it would resume flights to
Eritrea’s capital Asmara on July 17 for the first time in 20 years, a
day after the neighbours and longtime foes declared their “state of war”
over.
Eritrea’s capital Asmara on July 17 for the first time in 20 years, a
day after the neighbours and longtime foes declared their “state of war”
over.
In a historic deal on Monday, the Horn of Africa neighbours agreed to
open embassies, develop ports and resume flights, concrete signs of a
rapprochement that has swept away two decades of hostility since war
erupted over their disputed frontier in 1998.
open embassies, develop ports and resume flights, concrete signs of a
rapprochement that has swept away two decades of hostility since war
erupted over their disputed frontier in 1998.
“With the opening of a new chapter of peace and friendship between
the two sisterly countries, we look forward to starting flights to
Asmara with the B787,” the firm’s Chief Executive Tewolde GebreMariam
said, referring to a Boeing jet.
the two sisterly countries, we look forward to starting flights to
Asmara with the B787,” the firm’s Chief Executive Tewolde GebreMariam
said, referring to a Boeing jet.
Monday’s announcement formally ended one of Africa’s most intractable
military stand-offs, a conflict that has destabilised the region and
seen both governments funnel large parts of their budgets into security
and soldiers.
military stand-offs, a conflict that has destabilised the region and
seen both governments funnel large parts of their budgets into security
and soldiers.
The 1998-2000 border war killed an estimated 80,000 people. Tens of
thousands were also deported, splitting groups that shared bloodlines.
thousands were also deported, splitting groups that shared bloodlines.
The rapproachment followed a visit to Asmara by Ethiopia’s Prime
Minister Abiy Ahmed, who embraced Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki on
the airport runway.
Minister Abiy Ahmed, who embraced Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki on
the airport runway.
Thousands of Eritreans came onto the streets to cheer them and the
two men danced side by side to traditional music from both countries at a
dinner that evening.
two men danced side by side to traditional music from both countries at a
dinner that evening.
The deal signed between them on Monday also includes a resumption of phone connections.
Ethiopia’s state-run telecoms monopoly Ethio Telecom sent text
messages to its subscribers late on Monday, announcing “with happiness”
the restoration of phone links.
messages to its subscribers late on Monday, announcing “with happiness”
the restoration of phone links.
(Reuters/NAN)
