AU hails recent positive developments in Ethio-Eritrea relations

Jerry Ommondi

The Chairperson of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki Mahamat has welcomed the recent developments in the relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, a statement from the continental body said on Thursday.

The two countries engaged in a border war from 1998 to 2000 before signing a peace accord, dubbed the Algiers agreement, in December 2000.

On June 5, the Executive Committee of the ruling party, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF) passed decision expressing Ethiopia’s commitment to an unconditional implementation of the December 2000 Algiers peace agreement with Eritrea.

Mahamat noted that the announcement made by Ethiopia was an expression of the country’s commitment to the implementation of the deal. He also hailed a decision of President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, on June 20, to dispatch a delegation to Addis Ababa for constructive engagement with Ethiopia, which was welcomed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.

The statement by Mahamat termed the decisions by the Ethiopian and Eritrean leaders bold and courageous.

He encouraged them to maintain this path of development in order to open a new chapter of cooperation and good neighborliness between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Mahamat also stressed that sustainable peace between the two countries would have a tremendously positive impact on peace and security, as well as development and integration, in the Horn of Africa region and the continent as a whole.

“This will also be a significant contribution to the goal of ending all conflicts and wars on the continent by 2020, as pledged by the African Heads of State and Government in May 2013,” said the chairperson.