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Eritrea delegation arrives in Ethiopia ahead of landmark talks

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - A high-level Eritrean delegation led by foreign minister Osman Saleh arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa for talks on ending the decades-long conflict between the two countries. The delegation - which was

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – A high-level Eritrean delegation led by foreign minister Osman Saleh arrived in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa for talks on ending the decades-long conflict between the two countries.

The delegation – which was received by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Tuesday – also included Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki’s right-hand man Yemane Gebreab.

It is the first time in more than two decades that a top-level delegation from Asmara visits Ethiopia.

The visit comes a week after President Afwerki said the East African country would dispatch a delegation to Addis Ababa to “gauge current development” in the region.

“We will send a delegation to [Addis Ababa] to gauge current developments directly and in depth as well as to chart out a plan for continuous future action,” he said.

‘Committed to reconcile’

Earlier this month, Ethiopia’s new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said Addis Ababa would fully accept and implement the terms of a peace agreement between the countries.

“We are fully committed to reconcile with our Eritrean brothers and sisters and extend an invitation to the Eritrean government to start dialogue and establish rapport,” Abiy told parliament earlier this month.

 

The UN-backed agreement, which was signed in 2000, awarded disputed territories, including the town of Badme, to Asmara.

The two countries fought a bloody border war in 1998 that left more than 80,000 people dead and displaced hundreds of thousands.

Eritrea, which comprised of Ethiopia’s only access to the sea, broke off from its larger neighbour in 1993 leaving Addis Ababa landlocked.

Abebe Aynete, an Addis Abab-based analyst, said the visit could mark the end of the political deadlock between the East African countries.

“This visit is very significant and when the agreement is fully implemented it will mean the people of the two countries can finally have friendly relations. It will also improve the security of the region. The proxy wars between the two countries will also end,” Abebe told Al Jazeera.

“The outcome will be felt not just in the disputed territories but across East Africa. The implementation of the agreement might also lead to political reforms in Eritrea,” he added.

For the first time since the start of the conflict, the Eritrean flag hung side-by-side with Ethiopia’s on the streets in downtown Addis Ababa on Tuesday.

Many in the Ethiopian capital welcomed the arrival of the delegation and the recent thawing of tensions between the two neighbours.

Broken family ties

The conflict not only displaced thousands but also broke up many families.

Sipping espresso in a coffee shop in downtown Addis Ababa, local journalist Yonas Abraham said the peace talks have been long overdue.

The conflict turned his world upside down in ways he never imagined.

“I’m Ethiopian. My family is Eritrean, so when the war started they were deported. I remained in Addis Ababa,” Yonas told Al Jazeera.

“I missed my fathers funeral because I could not go to Eritrea. I have not seen my family for 20 years,” the 40-year-old said, with his brother, the only family member he has left in Ethiopia, sitting beside him.

Abraham was not deported because he worked for a government-affiliated media outlet in Addis Ababa.

His brother, Bereket, who is also a journalist, was deported to Eritrea along with the rest of family but sneaked back into Ethiopia and sought refuge.

“There are no words to describe what happened to our family. We suffered greatly. We lost everything,” he said.

The brothers say they cannot wait for the two countries to normalise their relations.

“As soon as the door opens we will both go to Eritrea to reunite with our family. We miss them a lot,” Yonas, the elder of the two brothers said.

SOURCE: AL JAZEERA NEWS

 

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40 COMMENTS
  • Ertrawi June 26, 2018

    The new Ethiopian Prime minister has provided the best gift to the Eritrean and Ethiopian families. We are hopefully to fully reconcile and put aside the hatred and conflict of the past and move forward with God’s grace. May God bless the people of Eritrea and Ethiopia.

    • Michael Tesfamariam June 27, 2018

      Hahahah That is it! This is the biggest victory for the crime family of Issais and Amhara, a massive blow to Bitweded, Petros, Haile Duru, and the rest of heroic compatriots who are dying slowly and painfully in cages of ErEro. The blood, pain and agony of all lionhearted Eritreans are now gone wasted in exchange for Shiro, and BerBere from Amhara, and Assab, perhaps, the rest of the country they died for is now on its way back to Amhara and Oromo. The sleazy and filthy “opposition” are now cheering and pouring champagne, and dancing with the very enemy that had murdered, raped and looted Eritreans and their properties. The opposition has now dropped its artificial gun and gleefully kiss the asses of HgDef and Amhara only in the hope they would be allowed to be buried in Eritrea when they died. This is the a blatant mockery to the freedom and justice of thousands of brave men and women of Eritrea who suffered most for the good of the country.

      I am now going to dispatch my letter to his Excellency President Donald J Trump to consider banning all Eritreans who enter the United States under the pretext bogus political or religious persecutions. The political and humanitarian myth that has been abusively used by Eritreans for the past 19 years has now been officially exposed and debunked by this unholy alliance among HGDEF, Amhara and members of this filthy sand sleazy “opposition” led by some regional extremists. I hope and prey the the US State Department will it make public that this mass migrations from Eritrea are driven by nothing but pure and desperate economic ambitions, because the real victims of hgdef have already gone, none alive other than those scavengers otherwise known as dementia members of “opposition”.

  • k.tewolde June 26, 2018

    (“There are no words to describe what happened to our family. We suffered greatly. We lost everything,” he said.)….yes indeed,the everyday people lost on both sides,a handful who concocted this mayhem and their families benefited and amassed billions and sent their children and relatives to elite western schools and own expensive homes and businesses across the globe while the young generation perishes in the sand dunes of the Sahara and becomes a bait for sharks in M.Sea.These are the same people walking with luau on their neck walking on red carpet.. ‘to gauge current developments directly and in depth…’_____ pay attention to the wording.Where are the people?

  • meretse June 26, 2018

    “እንድዕላ ኢያ ሎሚ ፡ ወይ ማይ ክትሃርም ኢያ ፤ ወይ ፀሓይ ክትውዕል ኢያ” For years I found the saying — is one of the best examples of coward quotes. In fact, it is a precondition for not being wrong at all. Now let me elaborate or the above quote. After they guy looked at the clouds above he came to say – “I think, either it will rain or shine” In the last all years that I have lived I was thinking this is one of the dumbest coward quotes I have ever heard. I do not know why I felt that way but it was me that I was a dead wrong for years. Today I have come to realize the poor farmer’s wisdom was not alone. In fact, these days, it is widely used by so many intellectuals more than the so called naïve ones for the reasons that stated above Whenever they are I asked to share their view (out come of something) – they began their statement by saying: let’s give it a time, hard to predict or remain to be see, time will tell, and so, and so …. a Perfect path from being haunted later. Now let me go back to the above news. Finally, Isseyas found his lost keys to the Badme Box. He is willing to negotiate and he sent his best men to Addis abeba. We witnessed the landing and the greetings by PMAA. That, in fact, was risk free prediction/ to say either it will rain was shine was not needed. The question is what will happen next?
    My prediction goes as follows: — Re: –Badme no further negotiation. His delegates will bring Badme back to Asmara. Second, the Ethiopians will keep Eyrob but give away the 12-14 Eritrean villages back to Eritrea (villages around Tserona /ጸረና (not Tsorena please). When it comes to Adi Mureg and its surroundings, Ethiopia can have as much aa it wishes to have. Further South East or coastal lines of Red Sea (I mean around Asseb) they will find a common ground.

    • k.tewolde June 26, 2018

      Haw meretse,regardless of the real estate exchange,whether they build a wall or chain link across the border until the real issues that is ailing our nation is resolved,it is putting a band-aid to the festering wound.Good photo op though for the current power brokers.

    • meretse June 26, 2018

      If my prediction went right Isseyas and his followers will indeed repeat their slogans: Game Over, we told you so, Tplf has bankrupted, the mother of all wars won again. Isseyas and his followers might also be right for the first time here—if DIA decides to agree to negotiate the fate of Eyrob and the ጸረና surrounding villages you don’t have a be politician to foresee the agony of tplf. First, they alienated themselves from the rest of Ethiopian population by refusing to accept the verdict. Second, DIA will outsmart them by saying OK let Eyrob be part of Ethiopia not even mentioning the region (Tigray). This move alone will broke their heart and make them wicked in the eyes of Eritrean and Ethiopian peoples. What an ugly scenario?

      • Sol June 26, 2018

        The Ethiopian side that will talk with Eritrean delegation will include some woyane high ranking members like the new defense minister who was in the welcome team thus what will happen if the delegation of IA refuse to seat with Ethiopian officials that include woyan?

        • Gezae June 27, 2018

          The new defense minister yes he is a Tigrayan by origin Ethiopian. Nevertheless, according to the Ethiopian constitution all the defense and intelligence apparatus are serving for the people of the great Ethiopia; a regime led by Dr. Abiy Ahmed not by the minority Woyane regime any more.

          • Sol June 27, 2018

            Gezae
            My concern is just if the mafia regime of IA refuse to seat with Ethiopian representatives that include woyane members to use it as a new excuse.

        • Moses June 27, 2018

          Didn’t you see Arkebe equbai sitting near monkey? They even exchanged hugs at the airport. The weyane are still kicking. Btw, don’t forget that the prime minister himself is the weyan’s outcome.

        • Gezae June 27, 2018

          There can be political reasons for delaying negotiations. There may also be reasons to deliberately stall talks. This scenario frequently occurs when one or both parties have a responsibility to other constituents. Thus, if we deeply know the cause of the war and the no war no peace after the final and binding verdict the the now initiation response by PFDJ/PIA is at the right time right start?

          As we all know negotiation is far more than simply sitting at the table and exchanging proposals what so ever. It is the process of working through various phases while you learn enough about the other party or government to be able to engage in a dialogue that makes want to work with you. Remember, negotiating is about your getting the other party or government to do something that you want done. The other party or government has to eventually be motivated to act too because negotiation is the process of establishing that motivation

          A key strategy in any negotiation is establishing and Knowing your bottom line. The bottom line is the minimum or maximum acceptable threshold that you will accept concerning a given situation. Sure sometimes there are some dispute mechanisms which can actually deter parties from negotiating. If there’s no point in negotiating with someone, when its obvious there’s no room for further talk, then the best solution is to simply pack-up and take a walk

          Handling conflict, that is negotiating is actually not an arduous process; but all too often that is exactly how we perceive it. Most people consider conflict bad. The truth is, since we can’t avoid it, conflict shouldn’t be feared or avoided…but embraced. Living in fear is not living; it is missing out on living our lives fully

  • Danilo June 26, 2018

    Okay and nice. The red carpet for puppet but still okay. I never thought less than that because Ethiopia today is different. In exchange I hope Abi Ahmed visits Asmara probably snip cappuccino alla Asmarino down town . If it happens, I am ready to believe as prophet of peace.

  • meretse June 26, 2018

    Brother K. Tewolde,
    I agree with you 100%. Going back to Addis after two decades will not solve our problem. Our problem has less to do with the demarcation but at least it will open a small window for a fundamental change. When it comes to our scenario I rather use the farmer’s wisdom: “either it will rain or shine.” Or remain to be seen as the so called educated people would have say. My statement remains exclusively to the bilateral meeting in Addis Abeba. I was just taking a chance my prediction what the outcome would be knowing the background of these two archenemies. Other than twhat you said is right. By the way, where are the other brothers and sisters?

    • Danilo June 26, 2018

      Brother Meretse, the farmers wisdom, ” ጽባሕ ማይ ወይ ጽሓይ ኣላ” the say is familiar for me from friend of mine. However, with out prediction to what will happen to border issue bear in mind that have other plans to discuss. One thing for sure is how to see stable Ethiopia. The rest is eritreas fate whether be confederate or give free access to the red Sea. In case agree ‘ who will sign? For sure not monkey but the foreign minister Osman to be easily betrayed like Haile weldetinsaie ( duruoo )

    • rezen June 27, 2018

      QUOTE: “By the way, where are the other brothers and sisters?.” UNQUTE Meretse,June 26 2018

      Considering myself as one of Meretse’s “brothers” I decided to give my opinion about the invitation of Prime Minster of Ethiopia to the President of Eritrea to get together to discuss mutual interest of the two countries. We are all excited and happy to read such news item. To me, it is a grand gesture on the part of the young Ethiopian Prime Minister of Ethiopia.

      Now , let us address the cardinal question:
      a) THE FACT: Eritrea, at this moment find itself under the cruelest dictatorial indigenous Self-appointed President for undetermined period, governing five-six million people who have absolutely no authority on their own Life.

      b) QUESTION: What will be the outcome of the meeting? To me, practically NOTHING.

      c) WHY: Because, Ethiopia CANNOT [and should not attempt to solve the problem of Eritrea.

      d) WHY SO: because Eritrea’s problem can only be solved by Eritreans themselves for their own benefit, as they themselves see it
      .
      e) LAST QUESTION: Are Eritreans capable of solving their own inherent problems? That is a question directed at the Eritrean people to come out of political and sociological gutter that they found themselves immersed. No ‘diplomatic’ meeting on Earth would answer the question except the people of Eritrea themselves. Otherwise, the history of the Eritrean people for the last 130 year-period will continue for ever.

      f) LAST WORD: Let me repeat what I wrote in another commentary: The meeting in Ethiopia will only be diplomatic gesture i.e. a waste of time as far as solving the problem of the Eritrean people goes. THE END

      • Simon G. June 27, 2018

        ኣንታ ረዘን
        ብለባምካ? You said “Eritrea’s problem can only be solved by Eritreans themselves for their own benefit, as they themselves see it” Is that sarcasm? If it is, I get it. Otherwise, how does > 2 decades sound? Do you see any solution by Eritreans?
        We are one of the few screwed up people on the planet. Let’s just admit it. Let’s read what it is written. It seems to me we are are reading at a blank page. There is no solution by us so far.
        ሸንኮለል ኮይኑ ስራሕና በጃኻ ኢልናካ

        • rezen June 27, 2018

          Simon G,
          Thank you very much for addressing me. You deserve my response. By the way, I never miss your commentaries/poems.

          I FULLY understand your reaction, your FEELING, Frustration. It is mutual. We are harsh at ourselves because we deeply believe that ERITREANS CAN BE much more better than we are pathetically displaying and witnessing – pointedly, at this particular period of time. It is not sarcasm, I mean it. It is only as if the ‘foundation of a structures’ is getting loose and, of course, we should critically be looking at ourselves.

          • Simon G. June 27, 2018

            Thanks Rezen!
            Besides your fluency (extremely well that is) in the English language, my admiration to you and brother Bitweded (among brothers Meretse and KT) is your bravery. Against all odds, you have both stood for the truth. History will put both of you at the top of the mountains!
            There are also two brothers at Awate that I have very high respect for their truthfulness and consistently with high integrity and these are Amanuel Hidrat, Salih G. Johar and Semere Andom (in alphabetical order).

  • Yikuno June 26, 2018

    Dealing with the Devil?
    Does pastor Abiyi Ahmed really Know the personality of Isayas? When he discovers that he might be disappointed! Isayas has thousands of Innocent blood in his hands and will sustain the contempt to Shed more!

  • Sol June 26, 2018

    The Ethiopian side that will talk with Eritrean delegation will include some woyane high ranking members like the new defense minister who was in the welcome team thus what will happen if the delegation of IA refuse to seat with Ethiopian officials that include woyan?

  • meretse June 26, 2018

    Dear Sol,
    Let me prolong the discussion by stating the following statements: if I were a political adviser of tplf I would have never encourage or even allow the spontaneous demonstration of Tigray people against the newly elected PMAA. This is not to say they do not have rights to protest but time wise it was too early and premature. Remeber the protest was not only against demarcation but also against the fast decision of PMAA whatever his decisions might be. To begin with, his fast transformation did not start with the border issues. First he started with decisive issues (hot issues) of his mama country. Then, all of the sudden, he also surprised everyone by offering an olive branch to all neghboring country mainly to his archenemy Eritrea. I hope I am right but tplf and their followers were not delightful the move of PMAA as the rest of Ethiopians for understandable reasons. Although that is natural but they should have not took it to the streets. For me, it is the streets protest that gave DIA a chance to do whatever he did now. DIA suddenly stood and started to use momentum against tplf. He said, you see we are all for peace but tplf. I may be worng but what I am trying to do here is trying to read the dictators mind and i am not advocating he was/is right. Like many of u here my heart tells me all the time whatever move the dictaator takes it’s only for his own interest and nothing more.

  • Simon G. June 27, 2018

    The sad thing is that the late PM Meles had offered the same thing and as SAAY of Awate correctly stated why these goons had wasted 16 years fir the same deal.
    Another sad thing is this why wweren’t these guys met in a 3rd country? They went directly to AA. To me this tells me DIA had cornered, after the Sudan boarders closure.
    ——————————————
    To Eritreans, actually it will get worse. DIA will be there and he won’t change a thing.
    The slavery national service won’t stop.
    Citizens won’t be allowed to get out of country
    No justice as usual
    No constitution

    What is going to happen to those refugees in Tigray? I am sure he will be nervous to agree for them to return back home. If not, trouble will be heading to him. Unless, he request Ethiopia $50K USD/each to let them return.

    So guys, be careful what you wish.

  • Tesfai June 27, 2018

    This is not about Hgdef, Weyane or EPRDF or the opposition in any camp.
    This is about peace. Peace means no wars.
    I am happy that they are singing and signing peace.
    Selam or Shallot or peace to Eritrea, Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa

    Please “Give peace a chance”.

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