Ethiopia has begun withdrawing its troops from the border with Eritrea.

This follows the historic rapprochement between the two countries, which has resulted in the resumption of diplomatic relations and reopening of borders for the first time in 20 years. Air links, embassies, and trade routes have also been re-opened since then.

…UN lifts Eritrea sanctions

In related news, the UN Security Council voted to lift sanctions against Eritrea, amid growing rapprochement with Ethiopia, which has been hailed a huge success.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed thanked the UN Security Council for responding to Ethiopia’s call to lift the sanctions, an important move for the whole of the Horn of Africa:

“The lifting of the sanctions will have far-reaching effects in improving the stability of the Horn of Africa region and in building peace and normalisation of relations among the countries of the region. It will further enhance the collaborative gains that we have achieved in the region over the last few months.”

The Eritrean Permanent Representative to the UN, Mr Amanuel Giorgio, hailed the lifting of the sanctions as marking the end of a difficult period for Eritrea and the region: “On this historic day I am humbled to congratulate the people of Eritrea, who have endured persistent existent pressure…Eritrea as a nation is committed to work with all its neighbours. The peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the tripartite agreement between Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, mark the beginning of a new dawn,” he said, adding that “it is time to redouble efforts and work closely with neighbours to build a region at peace with itself.”

Speaking on behalf of Ethiopia, Taye Atske Selassie, Ethiopia’s Permanent Representative to the UN, welcomed “unreservedly” the adoption of the resolution which, he said, his country fully supports.

“We are supporting this resolution today at a time when a major and historic development is unfolding in the Horn of Africa”, he said. “The breakthrough arising from the rapprochement between Ethiopia and Eritrea is already producing unprecedented and far-reaching positive consequences and is significantly changing the political landscape of the Horn of Africa and beyond.”