Ethiopia and Eritrea Declare an End to Their War

I like the possible peace in progression. A crucial factor for this breakthrough is the emergence of an enlightened an ethnic Oromo Abiy in power. This wasn't a border conflict. An understanding of the relationship and history between the EPLF and TPLF is required to even begin to understand what occurred. Personalities matter and the visceral hatred between no more than five personalities within the two fronts was the real reason for the impasse. What made this progress possible is frankly the sudden decline of certain TPLF personalities. We're not out of the woods yet. Ethiopia is deeply divided and there are groups who can play spoilers. I personally think immediate demarcation based on the EEBC verdict is essential to give peace a better chance. As the saying goes good "fences" make for better neighbors. By fences, I mean clarity on the border of the two countries. This is especially important for Eritreans as a symbolic affirmation of their sovereignty. That is of utmost importance in light of the fact that the TPLF government held hostage peace by obstructing the implementation of the EEBC verdict passed as final and binding with shameful and myopic U.S. enabling in the name of a flawed counter terrorism policy . I wish Ms. Gebrekidan mentioned this at least in passing. Beyond that, with peace, the possibility of cooperation between the two countries is limitless. And I hope Abiy's respect for human rights continues and becomes contagious in the entire region.

I am an American who spent time in Eritrea from 1966 to 1970. I also traveled around both Eritrea and Ethiopia. I liked the Eritreans, Ethiopians, Italians, the Nuns at the University of Asmara, the wild baboons, aard-wolves and lions. I had to give up my own shirt to a bandit in Aggordat in Eritrea. I heard women singing in Karen, Eritrea and Haraar, Ethiopia. The Eritreans are very friendly. The Ethiopians are very friendly. I am glad the war is over.

hope it lasts

bad news for the third party you never think about in this situation, the Djiboutis. who? and who? and what?

Thank you Mr. Abiy and many others for the "bridge of love" that brought peace over a disputed border. It is great to see how real leaders can work together to solve common problems without building walls. This will hopefully lead to less immigrants from Eritrea trying to enter Europe. Great news, and I hope for long lasting peace and friendship for both countries.

As someone who worked in Eritrea 2004-6 and has since maintained contact with friends there, I am overjoyed by the momentous events in Asmara this past weekend. Time will tell, of course, but the peace deal signed by both President Isaias and Prime Minister Abiy would seem to point to a climate of goodwill and cooperation that has been absent for a generation. On the flip side, it would also seem to represent a complete repudiation of U.S. policy towards Eritrea, calling into question our overall stance towards the Horn of Africa. This is a new day for Eritrea and Ethiopia, and we would do well to acknowledge past mistakes as we engage with the region in ways that go beyond counterterrorism and nation building. After all, these guys appear to have that covered.

Considering the tens of thousands of Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers who forfeited their lives over an arid patch of land inhabited by a few dozen individuals, this must surely have been the stupidest major conflict since World War I.

Truly remarkable leaders who learned that establishing peace with their neighbor would be a step toward establishing respect for the lives lost, those of survivors and new generations. For those refugees, many children at the time, who followed a guide, often lost, hiding in caves, traveling at night to avoid bombings, and finally made it to neighboring countries who took them in, I celebrate. Girls and boys, some with parent's knowledge and others without, left their families simply to stay alive when their next-door neighbors were killed the day before. I've learned many lessons from a particular Eritrean refugee. He is a survivor, a person I call an Eritrean national treasure. He continues to actively voice basic humanitarian values as the solution to complex problems especially between neighbors. While the world is experiencing the largest population of displaced people, through no fault of their own, we can learn from the knowledge previous refugees have acquired. Countries that provide refuge will save lives and provide a home to many national treasures like my friend of 40 years.

At long last! Seeing the same people fighting each other over stupid stuff reminds me India and Pakistan

This is such wonderful news!! I visited Eritrea in 2004 and 2012 for a month each time and love the country and Eritreans as a people. Honesty and kindness are typical of almost every Eritrean I met. But it was also frightening and that was unnecessary. When the UN allowed Ethiopia to govern Eritrea in 1961 after England and Italy were out it facilitated a horrible time for Eritreans. "When they burned the books" was a specific time in Eritrean history when they were not allowed to read or speak in Tigrinya. There is a lot of bitterness between people who also share families in both countries. August of 2012 saw me at a huge wedding sitting for a short time with the first lady of Eritrea. I got henna on my skin and was given custom dresses by friends. No worries. But there I am when a bank officer asked if I was CIA. Later that Sept 10 afternoon, the shops and banks closed while the population were issued AK47's as preparation for a change of government in Ethiopia. Lufthansa was on strike, State department notified my family, Bengazi happened. The plane stop in Saudi Arabia on Sept 13 was scary when the morals police come aboard to check everyone for racy books and clothing. So yes, this is amazing wonderful news for the whole area.

Some good news. I pray it lasts and helps both countries to prosper.

How about that? In the spirit of cooperation, two countries agree to a reasonable sharing of borders and a sovereign route to Sea. This is a reminder of Chilean aggression in stealing Bolivian land and access to the Pacific (1879), and the urgency to return a sovereign stretch for access to the Sea; and to re-gain our essential collaboration in the forthcoming challenges of a globalized economy, to restore the trust that we have each other's back in mind, and a mutual friendship based on justice. I guess hope springs eternal.