The Washington Post: Eritrea, Djibouti agree to normalize diplomatic relations – 7 September
- The Washington Post reports on the new historical chapter being written between Eritrea and Djibouti.
- Eritrea and Djibouti have agreed to normalize relations after a decade of diplomatic stalemate in the latest thaw between countries in the strategic Horn of Africa region.
- Between 2010 and 2017, Qatar attempted to mediate a settlement but that effort failed, and in June 2017 withdrew its 450 peacekeeping troops from the border. Djibouti accused Eritrean troops of occupying the Doumeira mountain area shortly after the peacekeepers left.
- Eritrea long accused Ethiopia of supporting Djibouti in the dispute and the Djibouti – Eritrea standoff has been seen as the final rift needed to be solved to restore durable peace to the Horn of Africa region
- Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Workneh Gebeyehu, called the recent decision “a historic diplomatic achievement” in a Facebook post.
BBC Focus on Africa: Djibouti: New chapter in relations with neighbouring Eritrea – 7th September
- Focus on Africa, a BBC World Service Radio programme, reports on the improving relations between Djibouti and Eritrea.
- The Djiboutian Foreign Minister said it was time for peace between the two countries following a visit by his counterparts from Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
- Audio available for 29 days on BBC iPlayer.
Twitter: Official Twitter account of Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s office @TheVilaSomalia – 7th September
- The office of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo tweeted: ‘We are grateful to H.E President Afwerki and the great people of Eritrea for the warm reception accorded to H.E President Farmajo and his delegation during their 2 day visit to Asmara. Partnership, connectivity and collaboration is key to the progress & prosperity of the region.’
- Tweeted with pictures of President Abdullahi Farmajo and Isaias Afwerki shaking hands and embracing.
Africanews.com: Ethiopia, Eritrea, Somalia pact boost for regional peace, devt: EU – 6th September
- Africanews reports on the signature of a tripartite agreement by Somalia, Ethiopia and Eritrea aimed at fostering comprehensive cooperation between them.
- Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed joined Abiy and Eritrean leader Isaias Afwerki to sign the deal.
- An U.N. arms embargo imposed on Eritrea since 2009 was largely to do with its alleged support for Somali insurgent group Al-Shabaab but also because of its aggression against Djibouti and refusal to enter any form of mediation over the disputed regions.
- Calls for the sanctions to be lifted have been strong in recent months following the peace deal between Eritrea and Ethiopia.
- Stefano Manservisi, the European Union Commission’s Director-General for International Cooperation and Development, concluded that the tripartite pact “represents an important step to be welcome for peace and development in the Horn and its neighbourhood. We stand ready to support and cooperate.”
- The article includes a video report on the signing of the pact.
Voice of America: Ethiopia Reopens Embassy in Eritrean Capital – 6th September
- Voice of America reports on the reopening of the Ethiopian embassy in Eritrea.
- This is the latest step in the rapid improvement of bilateral ties between the two countries.
- A brief reopening ceremony was attended by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki and senior officials of both countries in Asmara on Thursday.
- The two men were due to hold a three-way summit with Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed later that day.
