ADDIS ABABA- Since the start of the overall reform last year, one of the top priorities of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed’s administration has been reinforcing regional economic integration and maintaining peace and stability in the Horn of Africa.
Over the last year, the Premier and his foreign affairs team have conducted successful diplomatic activities in the interest of the people of East Africa. The most notable one was the peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea. After decades of hostility and rivalry, the deal revived the two countries’ sisterly relations and led to the reopening of the Ethio-Eritrean border.
In a move that created huge public euphoria at home and in Eritrea, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy and Eritrean President Isias Afewrki reached an agreement to end two decades of diplomatic and armed conflict, a move which many believe will have significant implications for the peace and stability of the turbulent Horn Africa. Following the reopening of the border, people from the two countries hugged each other and some wept as their leaders led celebrations to mark it.
Lastly, Ethiopian troops withdrew from the town of Zalambessa. The Ethio-Eritrean peace deal has also changed the complexity of regional politics. Then after, Eritrea and Somalia restored relations, after nearly 15 years of animosity. As part of regional integration, Eritrea and Djibouti have agreed to restore ties and signed an accord after more than a decade of border disputes. South Sudan’s warring leaders have also signed a deal to end the brutal five-year war in Addis Ababa.
Kenya and Somali have solidified bilateral and trade relations agreeing to resolve their differences peacefully. Ethiopia signed an agreement to take a stake and jointly develop ports in Djibouti, Kenya, Sudan, Somaliland, and Eritrea. It has also agreed with Egypt to utilize Nile Water mutually. Another important shift in relations was agreements with Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. The United Arab Emirates pledged a total of three billion USD in aid and investments to Ethiopia.
Italy has also agreed to fund a feasibility study for a 736km railway line between Addis Ababa and the Red Sea port of Massawa in Eritrea. The agreement was made during a visit to Rome by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Ethiopia and France have also signed a cooperation agreement on defense, which covers training, capacity building, and strategic level exchanges, and others.
Ethiopia and the United Kingdom have agreed to expand bilateral cooperation and strengthen trade and investment. Besides, the Premier has also conducted successful economic diplomacy with major international financial institutions such as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund.
The Ethiopian Herald, March 28/2019
BY TSEGAYE TILAHUN
