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TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) – The sudden thaw between long-time enemies Eritrea and Ethiopia open up a world of opportunity for residents of neighboring countries: new economic and diplomatic relations, links But nascent peace raises new questions for the Eritrean diaspora, tens of thousands of people who have fled the grip of their government, the rigid system of mandatory military conscription and endemic poverty.
Now they are cautiously waiting to see how the truce will shape their homeland and perhaps give them a chance to come back.
"I want to go to my country," said Salamwit Willedo, a 29-year-old Eritrean living in Israel. "Everywhere I am a refugee … But my country is my homeland, I feel at home, so I hope peace will happen."
Tiny Eritrea, with 5 million people , gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after years of rebel war. He has been ruled by President Isaias Afwerki since then and has become one of the most reclusive nations in the world. The state of war with Ethiopia has kept the country of the Red Sea in a state of constant military readiness, with a hard and indefinite conscription system that has drawn criticism from advocacy groups and sent thousands of people in Europe, Israel and other African countries. The sworn enemies of the Horn of Africa led a bloody border war from 1998 to 2000 that left tens of thousands dead and separated families. But the antagonism erupted sharply last month when Ethiopian reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia was fully accepting a peace deal signed in 2000 that would hand over controversial border areas to the country. 39; Eritrea.
Hostility between the nations has faded considerably. The leaders traveled to the respective countries for jubilant receptions, diplomatic and other ties were restored, and flagship Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Eritrea this week.
The adoption of the peace agreement by Ethiopia away from years of anti-government protests demanding wider freedoms in the second most populous nation in the world. Africa, with more than 100 million people. Now the eyes are on Eritrea and how peace could induce it to relax and give up its long defensive position.
"Hatred, discrimination and conspiracy are now over," said the 72-year-old Eritrean leader. People chanting his name during his first visit to Ethiopia in 22 years
While the diaspora is divided into supporters and critics of the government, many Eritreans abroad are skeptical of change as long as the current government remains in power. think that this is not going to bring a solution to the interior of the country, because we still have thousands of prisoners in the country, we do not have a constitution, we do not have internal peace Said Bluts Iybadu, who came to Tel Aviv. 2010 and is a member of United Eritreans for Justice, a group of Eritrean expatriates who work to promote democracy in their home country.
Israel has become a destination of choice for Eritreans fleeing and has about 26,000 people. Most live in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the south of Tel Aviv and hold low-level jobs in restaurants or hotels.
While many say that their lives are better than in Eritrea, they have not received a warm welcome in Israel. the influx of migrants from Eritrea and Sudan.
Israel sees migrants as jobseekers who threaten the Jewish character of the state. He arrested migrants and sent them to third countries to reduce their numbers.
Rights groups say that Israel can use reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia to encourage migrants to leave. With 170,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum seekers living in Ethiopia, short-term peace means a new ability to communicate by phone with their loved ones at home.
"I can not put my joy in the words, my sisters in (the port city of) Mbadawa since the phone line was restored," said Alemnesh Woldegiorgis, 64, an Eritrean living in Ethiopia. He said he hoped to get a pbadport to visit a family that he had not seen for 20 years.
In Germany, where nearly 70,000 Eritreans have settled, most are refugees who have come to the country in the last five years. German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees.
Hintsa Amine lives with other Eritreans in temporary migrant housing near the former Berlin Airport. The 22-year-old man arrived in Germany a year and a half ago, and while supporting the peace agreement, he said that he had not changed his plans because he did not still feels unsafe in his home country. I want to stay here in Germany, "he said.
For Mohammed Lumumba Ibrahim, 61, who has been living in Germany for 45 years, the truce sparked the hope that he would take his children to see his homeland. ] "I would like to go with the whole family, but I have to make sure that we have peace, that there is no war so that I can take my children and their children. show their homeland, "he said. Members of the diaspora defended the Eritrean government, saying it was not responsible for all the ills of the country.
Essey Asbu, 47, who fled to the United States in the 1980s as a refugee, returned to Eritrea for the 10th anniversary of independence. about two years ago for the 25th anniversary. Eritreans mark their independence from 1991, when they captured their future capital, Asmara.
He does not believe that the current regime can prevent members of the diaspora from returning unless they have committed a crime. "I do not know why someone would not be very comfortable coming back," he said, adding that Eritreans who are professionals or have been educated in others Countries could be the biggest resource of the country if they come back. The most recent data from the American Community Survey Survey of the United States, there are about 34,000 people born in Eritrea now living in the United States. California has the largest number, about 6,200. About 1,150 live in Minnesota, according to the survey.
Mohamed Salih Idris, 49, of Minneapolis, left in the 1970s and arrived in the United States in 1999. Idris did not try to return to Eritrea. He said that the peace agreement brings a bit of optimism, but this feeling is fraught with mistrust.
"There is no confidence in the current regime.Now, with this peace agreement, there is no excuse for them to continue doing what they do. did, "he said.
He said that the fear of imprisonment is very real." This fear makes it very difficult for anyone to think about going back to it right now. "
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Associate press writers Miriam Karout in Berlin and Amy Forliti in Minneapolis contributed to this report.
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