Cross-border trades to swell with opening of Eritrea-Ethiopia border

The Eritrean–Ethiopian War was one of the vital conflicts in the Horn of Africa that continued between Eritrea and Ethiopia from May 1998 and June 2000. The conflict between two African countries, however, ended with the final peace only agreed in 2018.

Recently, both Eritrea and Ethiopia have reopened their Omhajer-Humera frontier that was closed for several years. The newly reopened frontier, which had been closed for more than twenty years due to the dreadful political ties among the two countries, is the latest move as the two former long-time foes ushered a new beginning to their relations, as reported by Xinhua.

The reopening of the road is in line with article 3 of the Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship that the two countries signed on July 9 last year, Eritrea’s Minister of Information Yemane Gebremeskel said. According to the official statement, the opening of the border is anticipated to further enable the people-to-people relation on both sides, as well as to facilitate cross-border trade among the two countries.

Amid the easing tensions, telecom services between the two countries have resumed, embassies resumed diplomatic relations, and agreements were made to strengthen economic ties, PML Daily noted. Both and Eritrean Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines have started flights to Asmara and Addis Ababa respectively.