The Eritrean Diaspora Looks At Ethiopia Melting Hope, Mistrust

The sudden thaw between long-time enemies Eritrea and Ethiopia open up a world of possibilities for residents of neighboring countries: new economic and diplomatic relations, telephone and transport links and the end of the war. One of the most bitter feuds in Africa

But nascent peace raises new questions for the Eritrean diaspora, tens of thousands who have fled the grip of their government, a rigid system of compulsory military conscription and endemic poverty.

Now they are cautiously waiting to see how the truce will shape their homeland and

"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 arrive."

Tiny Eritrea, with five million people, gained its independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after years of rebel war. It has been ruled by President Isaias Afwerki since then and has become one of the world's most reclusive nations.

The state of war with Ethiopia kept the country of the Red Sea in a state of constant military readiness, with a hard and indefinite conscription system that drew the Critics of the rights groups and sent thousands of people fleeing to Europe, Israel and other African nations.

The enemies of the Horn of Africa fought tens of thousands and separated families. But the antagonism erupted sharply last month when reformist Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that Ethiopia was fully accepting a peace agreement signed in 2000 that would restore Eritrea to areas controversial borders.

"Hatred, discrimination and conspiracy are now over. The hostility between the nations has evaporated dramatically. 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 of the world. Africa, with more than 100 million people. Now the eyes are on Eritrea and peace can induce him to relax and abandon his long defensive position.

"Hatred, discrimination and conspiracy are now over," said the 72-year-old Eritrean leader. People chanting his name on his first visit to Ethiopia in 22 years.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed welcomes Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and his delegation to Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on June 26. (Tiksa Negeri / Reuters)

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.

"I think it's wrong, 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 in 2010 and is a member of United Eritreans for Justice, a group of Er Itean 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 of them live in disadvantaged neighborhoods in the south of Tel Aviv and hold low-level jobs in restaurants or hotels.

Israel has become a destination of choice for Eritreans fleeing and has about 26,000 people. Rights groups say that Israel can use reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia to encourage migrants to leave. (Derek Stoffel / CBC)

Although many say their lives are better than in Eritrea, they have not received a warm welcome in Israel, which has struggled to cope with a influx of migrants from Eritrea and Sudan.

Israel regards 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 claim that Israel could use reconciliation between Eritrea and Ethiopia as an excuse to encourage migrants to leave

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For the few With 170,000 Eritrean refugees and asylum-seekers living in Ethiopia, short-term peace means a new ability to communicate by telephone with their loved ones back home.

I can not put my joy into words. I've already spoken to my sisters at [the port city of] Mbadawa since the phone line was restored, "said Alemnesh Woldegiorgis, 64, a living Eritrean In Ethiopia, he said he hoped to get a pbadport to visit a family he had not seen for 20 years.

In Germany, where nearly 70,000 Eritreans settled most of them are refugees who came 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 39, former Berlin airport.The 22-year-old 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 still did not feel safe in his home country. [1965] 9002] I want to stay here in Germany, "he said.

I would love 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 show them their homeland – Mohammed Lumumba Ibrahim

For Mohammed Lumumba Ibrahim, 61, who has been living in Germany for 45 years, the truce sparked the hope that he could take his children to see his homeland.

"I'd love to go with the whole family, but I have to make sure we have peace, that there's" I have no war so I can take my children and show them their homeland, "he said.

Some members of the diaspora defended the Eritrean government, stating that it was not responsible for all the ills of the country. , who came to the United States in the 1980s as a refugee, returned to Eritrea for the 10th anniversary of independence and again about two years ago for the 25th anniversary, Eritreans mark their independence in from 1991, date on which they captured their future capital, Asmara

He said that he did not believe that the current regime would have a problem for pe to allow the return of members of the diaspora, unless they have committed a crime.

"I do not know why someone would not be very comfortable coming back" He added that Eritreans who are professionals or who have been educated in other countries could to be the greatest resource of the country when they return.

According to the most recent data from the US Community Survey, about 34,000 people were 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, the hope is that now with this peace agreement, there is no excuse for what they continue to do what they have. "He said that the fear of imprisonment is very real. "This fear makes it very difficult for anyone to think about going back now."