[ad_1]
Full of joy and a sense of unparalleled freedom, residents, especially in border towns like Rama, Zalanbessa and Adigrate, said that they were growing anxious to restore their freedom of movement and normal life.
According to the inhabitants of the city of Rama, separated by the river Mereb, The Reporter began to enjoy the wind of peace that reigned in the city immediately after the visit of Eritrea. The President, Isaias Afewerki, last week, even though there was still no formal agreement between the two governments on access to the border crossing
The photograph The Reporter has received residents, since the beginning of last week show military officers on both sides of the border, for the first time, to ease their grip and even allow residents of the surrounding area to cross partially the border.
These residents also confirmed to The Reporter that in addition to Ethiopian side military guards, they were also surprised by the Eritrean border guards who had greeted them crossing and penetrating the Eritrean soil for a short time. "This (crossing the border and walking on Eritrean soil) has never been reflected in the last 20 years since soldiers do not allow anyone to approach the border," says Haftom Te & # 39; um, a resident of Rama. The Reporter . He explained that the Border Patrol was "extremely" tight.
"Leaving the bridge alone (at Mereb River), even a movement near it and taking photographs was impossible," he explained. the river for the first time and having walked to the other side of the border before returning home thereafter.
During the first two years of the deadly war, residents of Rama and Adi Tzadik residents of the other. edge (in Eritrea) lived in harmony across the Mereb River. However, the bridge, which once served both, had been completely damaged during the two years of combat
With the help of the defunct peacekeeping mission of the United Nations Mission for Peace. Ethiopia (UNMEE), a new bridge
Similarly, the other important city that has suffered from war and border clashes is the city of Zalambessa. The city was badly damaged during the first two years of war. And after the war, the city remained scarred while its urban development and livelihood remained stagnant.
Like the city of Rama, the border began to show relative calm with military patrols monitored at border crossings. 19659002] However, the night curfew in the city of Zalambessa still remains in place. Since the war, no movement has been authorized for residents after 18:00 except for ambulances and military vehicles.
Now the inhabitants of the city As Muse Me & uz who spoke to The Reporter on the phone "could not wait until the end of the night the curfew and Zalanbessa released the nightmare we lived in. "
The Reporter learned this, but no official announcement was made at the end of the military clashes. on the border area and the opening of the border, some residents of the city have already started to renew their commercial organization, including market areas and hotel services that provide for business in the city will revive.
Meanwhile, others are anxiously waiting for the opening of the border to find their loved ones.
Other residents of a neighboring city of the Tigray Regional State expressed the desire to travel and visit Eritrean cities remarkable.
Among them, residents of the city of Adwa, 60 km from the Eritrean border, have taken initiatives. people gather with their counterparts in nearby Eritrean cities.
Assaye, who runs the Enda Tour and Travel agency in the city of Adwa, told The Reporter that many locals in his city are happy. He stated that Adwa residents, who have welcomed the recent peace agreement signed by the leaders of both countries, are animated by the idea of organizing on their own initiative an event of interpersonal encounter. without waiting for a call from a government agency that usually conducts such an event.
Assaye has not indicated the schedule that he plans for the visit, since they require a security clearance. But he believes they will do so immediately as both governments announce the beginning of public bus transportation.
The two governments should announce the opening of their borders. The Eritrean government announced Wednesday that it had taken its first steps by withdrawing its troops from one of the military bases
Meanwhile, the Ethiopian airline resumed its first commercial flight to Asmara the same day.
Source link
