File photo: Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed
Eritrea will reopen its embassy in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Sunday, Ethiopia's state-affiliated broadcaster said on Friday, before a visit by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki.
Fana Broadcasting quoted government spokesman Ahmed Shide as saying the Eritrean Embassy would be operational on Sunday.
Eritrea's president will make a historic visit to Ethiopia this weekend, cementing a stunning rapprochement with his giant neighbour after a generation of mutual hate and mistrust.Isaias Afwerki will arrive in Ethiopia on Saturday, Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Meskel said on Friday, after the neighbours declared on Monday that their "state of war" was over.The rapid changes come after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed launched a peace initiative last month. He visited Eritrea's capital last weekend and signed a pact with Isaias on resuming ties, a move that ended a near 20-year military standoff after a border war."President Isaias Afwerki will lead a delegation and pay an official visit to Ethiopia tomorrow, 14th July," Yemane tweeted."The visit will cement further/add momentum to the joint march for peace and cooperation set in motion by both leaders."The Horn of Africa neighbours have agreed to open embassies, develop ports and resume flights, in concrete signs of rapprochement after two decades of hostility since war erupted over their disputed border in 1998.Abiy's chief of staff tweeted the visit will last three days.The reconciliation could transform politics and security in the volatile Horn region, which hundreds of thousands of young people have fled in search of safety and opportunities in Europe.Under the new reformist prime minister, Ethiopia is opening up to the outside world after decades of security-obsessed relative isolation.Since he took office in April, Abiy has announced plans to partially open up the economy, including attracting foreign capital into the state-run telecoms company and national airline. The country, with a population of 100 million people, has seen rapid economic growth over the past decade.Futures drop after US threatens more China tariffsEthiopia says re-opening roads to Eritrea's Red Sea ports a priorityTurkey hails Ethiopia-Eritrea peace efforts
Eritrea's president to visit Ethiopia to cement historic truce
Landlocked Ethiopia wants to make the re-opening of two roads connecting it to two of Eritrea's Red Sea ports a priority in the two nations' reconciliation process, a government spokesman said on Wednesday.In a move that ended a 20-year military stand-off, the Horn of African neighbours agreed on Monday to open embassies, develop ports and resume flights.The historic reconciliation could transform politics and security in the volatile Horn region, which lies along one of the world's busiest shipping routes.Ethiopian government spokesman Ahmed Shide said on Wednesday that the reopening of two critical roads leading to the ports of Assab in Eritrea's south and Massawa in the north would benefit the whole region."The unfolding developments will not only benefit our peoples, but the entire Horn of Africa region will be a part of these developments," Shide was quoted as saying in an interview published on the Eritrean information ministry's website.Turkey hails Ethiopia-Eritrea peace effortsEthiopia to roll out Eritrea deal fast to 'make up for lost opportunities'Ethiopian Airlines says will resume flights to Eritrea's capital AsmaraEthiopia, Eritrea agree to reopen embassiesAlso on Wednesday, Ethiopian President Abiye Ahmed's chief of staff wrote on Twitter that Ethiopian and Eritrean passport holders would be able to travel to the other country and obtain visas on arrival.The changes are sweeping away years of hostility and raising hopes in both countries for a lucrative peace dividend.Access to the ports of Assab and Massawa could greatly help Ethiopia's push to boost their exports and increase hard currency earnings, analysts say.The country of 100 million is heavily dependent on ports in tiny neighbour Djibouti, but since Abiy took office, has also negotiated access to a port in Sudan.
Ethiopia says re-opening roads to Eritrea's Red Sea ports a priority
Turkey welcomes recent efforts by Ethiopia and Eritrea to restore relations between the two countries, the Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.In a written statement, the ministry said: “As a country attaching importance to stability in Africa, Turkey welcomes the steps taken towards the normalization of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the Joint Declaration signed between Eritrea and Ethiopia on 9 July in Asmara, during the visit of H.E. Dr. Abiy Ahmed, Prime Minister of Ethiopia, to Eritrea.”The declaration was signed Monday during a landmark summit between the leaders of the two countries in the Eritrean capital.Ethiopia to roll out Eritrea deal fast to 'make up for lost opportunities'Ethiopia, Eritrea agree to reopen embassiesEthiopian leader visits Asmara for historic peace talksThe “state of war that existed between the two countries has come to an end,” Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane G. Meskel wrote on social media.“We believe that the normalization of relations between the two neighboring countries and people will support the development and prosperity of both countries and will enable a conducive environment for peace, stability and comprehensive cooperation in the Horn of Africa region,” the ministry statement added.After Eritrea seceded from Ethiopia in 1993, border wars broke out.Some 70,000-80,000 people were killed on both sides when the two neighbors fought a bloody war in 1998-2000.
Turkey hails Ethiopia-Eritrea peace efforts