Ethiopia and Eritrea leaders held a crucial peace talk on Sunday in Eritrea as both countries make efforts at resolving their differences.
Eritrea’s state broadcaster reports that Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki welcomed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed at Asmara airport.
Both leaders then headed to the presidential palace where the talks were held to end a near 20-year military stand-off.
Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Gebrmeskel wrote on Twitter that “This historic official visit, and the summit that will take place … heralds a new era of peace and cooperation.”
Abiy’s chief of staff also said on Twitter that “Our two nations share a history and bond like no other. We can now overcome two decades of mistrust and move in a new direction.”
First Historic meeting
Last month Prime Minister of Ethiopia Abiy Ahmed also welcomed a delegation of Eritrean officials at Addis Ababa airport.
Talks were held then in the Ethiopian capital with the first official delegation from Eritrea in two decades.
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.
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.
Conflict resolution moves
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 currently controls the town of Badme.
Source: Africafeeds.com
