Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed, arrived in the town of Tessenai, in Western Eritrea, on Monday (January 7) where he was welcomed by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, before the two leaders cut the ribbon to officially open the Om Hager-Humera cross-border road, closed for more than two decades. They were accompanied by senior officials of both countries including the presidents of Ethiopia’s Tigray and Amhara Regional States. Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel, said the reopening of the road was in line with article 3 of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship that the two countries signed on July 9. This refers to the resumption of transport, trade and communication links between the two countries. He said the opening of the border would further expand people-to-people relations on both sides, as well as to facilitate cross-border trade among the two countries. Indeed, the occasion provided another link in the resumption of transport, trade and communications between Eritrea and Ethiopia and a further step in the normalization of Ethio-Eritrea relations provided for in the Joint Declaration.
The historic paradigm shift that is underway in the Horn of Africa following the recent rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea continues to gather strength. A few months ago, nobody would have even remotely anticipated that the two countries would end their hostility and normalize relations with this unprecedented speed. The peace deal signed by Prime Minister Abiy and President Isaias in July last year has led to the restoration of diplomatic and trade relations was an historic event ending two decades of enmity, and contributing to strengthening security, normalcy and stability in the region.
Since taking office in April 2018, Prime Minister Abiy has consistently conveyed the message of reconciliation including forgiveness, togetherness, love and tolerance in most of his encounters with the Ethiopian public and during his visits abroad. The political reforms the Prime Minister has been implementing domestically have laid down the solid and firm foundation for national consensus, unprecedented in the modern history of the country. The same approach has appeared in his foreign policy calculations, which have been responsible for the paradigm change in the relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea and in the Horn of Africa at large.
Ethiopia reopened its embassy in Asmara, the Eritrean capital, on September 6 last year, after Eritrea’s embassy was reopened in Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa on July 16. The peace process has also seen Ethiopia and Eritrea reopen air links and trade routes. Amid the easing tensions, telecom services between the two countries resumed, and agreements made to strengthen economic ties, reopening border crossing points. A cultural symposium, held recently in Addis Ababa, brought together some 500 participants drawn from both countries, including senior government officials, to discuss various issues including ways to enhance the cultural and linguistic ties as well as the need for cultural collaboration between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
