Eritrea’s president, Isaias Afwerki is making a historic visit to Ethiopia starting on Saturday after both countries ended their “state of war”.
The visit is to finally cement engagements that have taken place to restore peace between the two nations.
The three-day visit will afford President Afwerki the opportunity to reciprocate what his counterpart, Abiy Ahmed of Ethiopia did last week.
Prime Minister Ahmed also paid a visit to Eritrea last week where series of agreements were made to restore diplomatic ties.
Eritrea will reopen its embassy in the capital Addis Ababa this weekend. The embassy was closed since 1998.
Restoration of diplomatic and trade ties
Ethiopia and Eritrea restored diplomatic and trade ties last week after peace talks in Eritrea’s capital.
Ethiopian officials say direct international telephone connections have been restored between the two countries.
The restoration is “for the first time after two decades”.
HE President Afeworki arrives in his other home, Addis Ababa. As he lands, he received a heartfelt warm welcome by his brother HE Abiy Ahmed, representiatives of the public, artists, public figures & members of govt. Welcome home President Isaias!! #Ethiopia #Eritrea pic.twitter.com/PJpuAiG0gW
— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) July 14, 2018
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a border war from 1998 to 2000 that killed an estimated 70,000 people from both sides.
A peace accord dubbed the Algiers agreement was signed on December 12, 2000.
Despite the peace agreement a tense armed standoff ensued with the two countries engaging in clashes occasionally.
Ethiopia had not in the past endorsed the results of the peace agreement fully. It refused to recognize the award of the symbolic town of Badme to Eritrea.
Ethiopia says it will now comply with the Algiers agreement which should finally end the standoff between the two countries.
Source: Africafeeds.com
