Eritrea, Djibouti Agree to Normalize Relations

Addis Ababa September 07/2018 Eritrea and Djibouti have agreed to normalize relations after years of diplomatic stalemate, according to Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Eritrea and Djibouti agreed to resolve their ten-year old dispute through peaceful dialogue and negotiation after the mediation of Prime Minister Abiy and Somalia’s President Mohamed Abdullahi. The ministry described the normalization as “a true example of an African solution for an African problem.” It added that the agreement will have significant impact on the geopolitical peace and stability of Horn of Africa, which Ethiopia champions. Foreign Minister Workneh Gebeyehu who led the Ethiopian delegation said the agreement offers a successful springboard for Ethiopia’s grand diplomacy for the benefit of the whole of East Africa. Ethiopia, after closing its own chapter of conflict with Eritrea, has launched its efforts to resolve and mediate any remaining conflicts between its immediate neighbors, he noted. The agreement reached between Eritrea and Djibouti is a milestone towards ensuring regional peace and will change the political landscape of the Horn of Africa. In the joint statement the foreign ministers of Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia have confirmed that it is another major step in ensuring peace and stability and economic integration of the Horn and Africa at large. The ministry noted that the normalization proves PM Abiy’s earlier statement: “If we neighboring countries cooperate, we can resolve our longstanding disputes and ensure the transition to peace and development in our region.”