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On the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea (AFP) – "This place is definitely Ethiopian," said farmer Haise Woldu, 76, appointing an ornate church of an ornate brick facade of Engal.
His Engal city lies along the arid border between Ethiopia and Eritrea, whose exact boundary has been the subject of debate for over a century and the cause of a deadly war between the two nations that ended last week.
The rapid peace process between former enemies over the past six weeks depends on Ethiopia's wish to abide by the 2002 United Nations border decision, which states that "Engal is in fact Eritrean
. The decision could divide the population, "said Daniel Hagos, a Roman Catholic priest in Alitena, an Irob town located 10 kilometers northeast of Ethiopia. [19659006] "If the brothers are divided, it will be a problem. I do not think peace will come. "
Other leaders of the Irob community, who speak the Kushitic Saho language, want peace but warn that changing the status quo could wreak havoc on their way of life.
warned that the transfer of lands in the rugged Irob region towards Eritrea would also force visitors from Irob regions to cross Eritrea.
Over the last 150 years, Eritrea pbaded into the hands of the Ottomans, Egyptians, Italians, Britons and Ethiopians, annexed in 1952 after a brief period of autonomy.
The small Red Sea nation – which included the entire Ethiopian coast – fought a bloody independence war before leaving successfully after a referendum in 1993.
was never properly defined, leading to a conflict that sparked clashes and degenerated into a total war that cost the life to 80,000 people nnes between 1998 and the signing of a peace agreement in 2000.
– "Disintegrate the Irob" –
Eritrea captured the areas of Irob at the beginning of the conflict and held the territory for almost the duration of hostilities.
The region is one of the few centers of Ethiopian Catholicism, introduced in the 19th century by Italian saint Justin de Jacobis.
Ethiopia's refusal of a 2002 UN regulation on the demarcation of the border put Addis Ababa's relations with Asmara in stalemate, prompting Eritrea to seal its borders.
Stalemate Apparently intended to continue indefinitely until Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed takes office in April, announcing an aggressive reform program – and dazzling observers agreeing to abide by the decision of the border.
Large crowds gathered in Asmara to welcome Abiy and Addis Ababa to greet Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki
But in the Irob district, accessible by a narrow dirt track dotted with military checkpoints, the residents protested against Abiy. The Irob people jealously guard their rights and fear the return of the Eritreans who mistreated them during the occupation, according to district administrator Niguse Hagos
"This decision will disintegrate the locals. Irob, "he warned. , adding that the land governed by the United Nations is home to one third of the 33,000 inhabitants of the district
No land has yet changed hands and an AFP correspondent saw Ethiopian tanks deployed in the region with their barrels in front of Eritrea.
Some Irob hope peace between neighbors could improve their situation
The neighboring village of Senafe in Eritrea would become accessible, which could boost trade in the impoverished region
– "We want peace "- [19659026] Other locals hope the warm relations will help them understand what happened to the 96 Irob who disappeared during the occupation of Eritrea.
"Since the news, we have all been stuck on television" d Abrahet Niguse, a trader whose husband was taken by Eritrean troops for allegedly feeding Ethiopian soldiers
"If both countries make peace, maybe my husband will come back. " The land that has been allocated to him by the UN has toned down his calls in recent weeks
During his visit to Addis Ababa last week, Isaias hugged and joked with Abiy – but did not mentioned the problem. According to Mammo Muchie, a professor at the Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa, the border between the two men could be irrelevant. The relationship is the most important, "he said.
" (Borders) will always create problems. "
Many Irob people aspire at the time before the war when they could cross between their now artificially divided valleys." We want peace, "said Girmay Abraha, a driver born in the area," but we believe that it should not come by giving land. "
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