[ad_1]
Ethiopia and Eritrea have been staunch enemies for decades, fighting a border war in 1998-2000 that claimed the lives of nearly 80,000 people, but a breakthrough was reported on Sunday when they agreed to reopen embbadies and borders.
In 1962, the last Ethiopian emperor, Haile Selbadie, proclaimed the annexation of Eritrea, abolishing its status of autonomy and effectively making a province.
Eritrea launches a war for independence that lasts nearly 30 years.
In 1991, Eritrean rebels, who help to overthrow the Ethiopian military-Marxist regime of Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, seize the Eritrean capital Asmara. They install a government, getting de facto independence.
The independence of Eritrea is total in May 1993, a secession blessed by Addis Ababa
However, the 1,000 km boundary between neighbors is not properly defined.
* Subscribe to the latest news from News24 in Africa in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO THE LETTER OF HELLO AFRIQUE
] FOLLOW News24 Africa on Twitter and ]
In May 1998, skirmishes broke out after the entry of Eritrean forces in the vicinity of Badme , claiming that the city is under the borders. Italian colonial rule.
The fighting spreads, and in June the belligerents carry out air strikes.
The ensuing conflict is marked by trench warfare and large-scale battles, alternating with long periods of calm. Mediation attempts fail.
Fighting the outbreak again in May 2000. A violent bombing of Eritrea turns the conflict in favor of Ethiopia, while indirect negotiations resume in Algiers
It allows the deployment of a peacekeeping force in a border buffer zone and calls for the withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from the inland areas. Eritrea
An official peace pact signed in December 2000 establishes a Boundary Commission, which sits on the International Court of Arbitration at The Hague, to officially delimit the disputed border. His decision must be "final and binding".
In April 2002, the commission awarded Eritrea plots of land along the border, including the town of Badme
Ethiopia rejects the decision as "illegal, unjust and irresponsible" and asks for "interpretation, correction and consultation". The commission refuses.
Ethiopian forces continue to occupy the city. The stalemate delays the physical demarcation of the border according to the commission's decision.
Tensions rise between the two sides with gunfire, landmines and troop movements near the border.
In May 2006, in 1965, Ethiopia claimed to have killed more than 110 rebels allegedly sent by Eritrea to destabilize the country. country, a request rejected by Eritrea.
Meanwhile, fears arise that conflicting neighbors may use Somalia as a proxy battleground.
As the conflict continues, border regions are regularly confronted with attacks and incidents.
In June 2018, the new Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, announces that his country will abide by the 2002 decision to surrender the territory, including Badme,
The President of the 39, Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, responds positively and sends a delegation to Addis Ababa to plan a future action
Talks are announced between rival leaders and Abiy arrives in Asmara on July 8 for the meeting, encouraging crowds along the streets to accommodate it.
At dinner after, Abiy announces that the two countries will reopen the embbadies and the borders between them, a major step in the normalization of ties.
[ad_2]
Source link
