This archive report was first published on 25 August 2019.
August 25, 2019, marked a significant milestone in the thawing of relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea, with border towns like Serha experiencing a surge in activity as infrastructure such as bridges and roads are reconstructed to reconnect the two countries.
Col Kflom Gergish, an Eritrean military officer, is overseeing the reconstruction of the Dekemhare-Serha road, which is expected to be complete by September. This progress is a direct result of Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's regional mediations, which have been instrumental in reestablishing ties between the two nations.
However, recent developments have cast a shadow over these efforts. Eritrea has shut down its borders again, raising concerns about the sustainability of the peace deal. An Ethiopian government official, who spoke to The EastAfrican, downplayed the significance of the border closure, stating, 'Actually, the border never closed. First, there was initial excitement on both sides, and people started dealing with contraband. We needed to set up measures to control that. In this deal, supported by both sides, failure is not an option. It is costlier than opening up.'
Abiy's regional mediations have not been without challenges. His efforts to broker peace between Somalia and Eritrea have yielded positive results, but his attempts to resolve the maritime boundary dispute between Kenya and Somalia have been met with limited success. Nevertheless, his influence in Somalia could be instrumental in shaping the region's future.
Historically, Ethiopia and Somalia have been bitter enemies, with the Ogaden region serving as a flashpoint for their conflicts. However, under Abiy's leadership, Ethiopia has sought to rebuild relations with its neighbors, particularly those with access to the sea. Dr Abdiwahab Sheikh Abdisamad, a regular commentator on Horn of Africa affairs, praised Abiy's efforts, saying, 'Abiy is an honest broker, visionary leader, he wants to see a stable, and peaceful eastern African region, of course he has to secure Ethiopian interest first.'
