Peace Deal Demonstration of Leadership the World Needs, Says Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie

Addis Ababa July 21/2018 The Ethio-Eritrea peace deal has demonstrated the commitment of leadership the world needs to demolish walls and build bridges among communities and nations, the Outgoing UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Ethiopia Eziakonwa-Onochie said. The historic agreement came to reality following the pledge of the newly appointed Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to end the two decades stalemate between the two nations in his inaugural speech in April. In an exclusive interview with ENA, Ahunna Eziakonwa-Onochie said the recent astonishing moves have demonstrated the leadership which the world badly needs. “We are facing a world where many leaders are not promoting this kind of reconciliation and bridge building. So the two countries, in agreeing to this peace deal, have demonstrated leadership that we need to tell the world not to build walls between the hearts of families, communities and nations”, she added. Africa and the international community are lauding the peace deal as remarkable and exemplary to the continent and the world. In connection with this, the outgoing coordinator said: “For me as an African, this is a proud moment because this is a teaching moment for the world. These two countries should have continued to have these hardened borders between themselves; but they chose the different path. We really hope that the world could rally behind this kind of initiative.” Eziakonwa-Onochie called on the international community to advocate such initiatives. She revealed that the UN is looking to support the sustainability of the peace deal, adding that the agreement is a very important and encouraging first step that requires support for both countries. Infrastructure, for instance, is going to be important between cities and between two countries. “We need now to rally as international community behind this in terms of development, in terms of the social as well as the economic aspect that need to be deployed to support a sustainable way forward”, Eziakonwa-Onochie stressed. According to her, the security and safety of the population to be able to cross the border is going to important and the condition of refugees between the two countries and voluntary returnees should be facilitated. What has happened is remarkable, she said, adding that the world has registered the hope that has been created and the people have registered this hope and this positive energy as well. Eziakonwa-Onochie noted that the past frozen situation had a negative impact on both sides. “We welcome this historic initiative to soften the borders between the two countries, and then allow for rejuvenation of the friendship and relationship”. Ethiopia and Eritrea have agreed to re-establish economic ties in various spheres, including the utilization of port services, aviation and formal diplomatic missions. Accordingly, Ethiopian Airlines has resumed direct flight to Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, and the Embassy of Eritrea opened in Ethiopia.