Building a Better Ethio-Eritrea Relationship

Weather permitting, I regularly walk around and socialise with people in the cafes of Brussels, Belgium. Some of these people are from Djibouti or Somalia; others are from Eritrea.

The Eritreans do not feel as though they are people from a different country. In fact, they vow that the two countries will merge once more in the context of implementing the objectives of African Union (AU). This desire does not seem to be too farfetched in light of the present trends of practical bondage – through power transmission, transport interconnection and economic ties – being consolidated in East African countries.

From the looks of things, Eritrea cannot be an exception. It has been reported recently that Eritrea plans to acquire electric power from Sudan.

We know that Ethiopia is undertaking a project that will provide electric power to Sudan and, if it were not been for the belligerence between Ethiopia and Eritrea, it would have been easier and more economical to connect the power line directly from the Tekeze Dam. In addition, the railway network project would have been planned to connect Addis Abeba with the Asseb Port or Asmara.

These are opportunities lost by the two neighbouring countries, which could have been seized to continue the political process that began right after Eritrean independence. But it is not a question of settling accounts of bygone days.

People are transient. But countries remain static forever. The lives lost, the properties damaged and the social and economic opportunities wasted in the war ought to be made up. I feel pity when I hear reports that Ethiopians and Eritreans board together on the same boat or attempt to cross deserts or seas as people of the same design in life and death.

I had been to Eritrea on duty travels several times and had seen the facts on the ground. I also had the opportunity to be a member of the ministerial commission, representing the then Ministry of Information (MoI), which had gone to Eritrea during the transitional days. The commission, led by Tamirat Layne, the then prime minster, had been there to discuss bilateral agreements on several issues, including boundaries, dual citizenship, trade relationships and security issues.

I remember that we had more prospects and opportunities which we could agree upon than disagree. It was clear for all of us that the two countries could jointly emerge as a power to be reckoned with in this part of Africa.

Unfortunately, however, towards the end of the 1980s, the countries unexpectedly ran fast into name calling, which rapidly developed into an all-out war known as the most “pointless war” of the century.

Over 70,000 people were believed to have lost their dear lives from both sides, not to speak of the damage and loss of property. The war, which bore no fruit, could have been avoided if only both sides could have positioned their differences on the table and resolved them in a more civilised and mature manner.

In a recent interview with Al Jazeera, Prime Minister Hailemariam Dessalegne equivocally stated that Ethiopia is willing and ready to talk peace with the leaders of Eritrea, anytime and anywhere. This is indeed a sign of political maturity and positive gesture. There are indeed very many substantive issues for both countries to negotiate over.

This is because the two countries have centuries old historical and socio-economic relationships, which they can build their future destiny upon. Presently, the young generation living in the Diaspora are exposed to the civilised world. They have the entrepreneurial experience and the necessary capital. I see no reason why they cannot rehabilitate their relationships.

If we turn the pages of history between the two countries, we can recall that the first automatic telephone and telex exchanges were installed in Asmara next to Addis Abeba. Ethiopian Airlines had its first international flight to Asmara. The first microwave links were made to Asmara via the 16 Repeater stations installed on the hilltops.

One of the first universities outside the capital was established in Asmara. I can go on listing firsts or seconds.

By the way, while it is my belief that sport is something that brings people together in a peaceful way, I cannot see why sports officials shun the regional or continental decision to have a football match between teams of the two countries. On a personal and humanitarian level, I find it very gratifying to see athlete Haile Gebreselassie or Kennanisa Bekele shaking hands and hugging the Eritrean runner, Zersenay Tadese, at an international meet, as they do with Kenyan athletes in the spirit of sportsmanship.

Some people may think that such attitudes of reviving connections between the two countries emanate from the desire to have a sea port. But they are only exposing themselves to their own short-sightedness.

These people forget that relations between any two countries are not for the sake of political niceties and hallow exercise. They fail to explain what else people could gain from integration of some sort, if it has no mutual benefit, be it in the form of communication through sea ports or airports?

Positive thinking about the relationships between the two countries is not an issue of rhetoric. The Ethiopian government has taken legal steps to reinstate the properties of those Eritreans who were deported.

It has also started giving scholarships to Eritrean students to study at Ethiopian universities. The government, in cooperation with the international community, provides services and facilities for those Eritreans who want to take refuge in the country.

Presently, hundreds of Eritreans are crossing to Ethiopia daily. The present call by heads of religious authorities to advise those who take risks to flee abroad is welcome and is believed to be a retaining force behind those who flee their country.


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