Horn of Africa border opens

– The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea re-opened crossing points on their shared border yesterday for the first time in 20 years, Asmara said, clearing the way for trade between the former foes after a reconciliation.

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki opened the frontier at Bure, a region that saw some of the fiercest fighting during the 1998-2000 war.

Tensions burned on after that fighting ended, until Abiy offered to end the military standoff this year as part of a package of reforms that have reshaped the Horn of Africa and beyond.

Isaias and Abiy “officially opened the Debay Sima-Burre border between the two countries for road transport connectivity”, Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Meskel said in a tweet.

The two leaders then opened the Serha-Zalambesa connection in a second ceremony. They also celebrated Ethiopian new year together at the border with their troops, Fitsum Arega, Abiy’s chief of staff, said on Twitter.

Eritrea reopened its embassy in Ethiopia in July, and Ethiopia reciprocated last week. The two countries have resumed flights and Eritrea is opening up its ports to its landlocked neighbour and upgrading a connecting road. – Reuters

Addis Ababa