Locals celebrate Ethiopia-Eritrea border reopening

Communities along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border celebrated a rare reopening of a section near Zalambessa, Ethiopia that has been closed for five years now. Separated by a closed border since the outbreak of the 2020 conflict in Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region, families and friends reunited emotionally in the presence of village elders and religious leaders.

The event was organized by local activists and community figures without official backing from either government, though organizers indicated they had the blessing of officials in Tigray and Eritrea.

Cross-border trade has restarted, with people using both Ethiopian and Eritrean currencies. Much of the infrastructure is owned by Ethiopia’s federal government, and residents say restoring it will require significant investment.

The border was formally reopened in 2018 after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a historic peace agreement with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, a move that earned Abiy the Nobel Peace Prize.

The eruption of the Tigray conflict in November 2020 disrupted progress toward normalized relations.

Some citizens expressed hope for continued peace and reconciliation. Nebiat Woldegergis, who traveled from Senafe, Eritrea, said, “I am confident that the peace and reconciliation we started today will continue to grow.” Amleset, a mother who had lived in a refugee camp in Adigrat for five years, added, “Today I came to see my locked house.

From now on, I will return with my children and continue living on my land.”

The reopening of the border may signal a positive development but it remains unclear whether it will lead to a longterm reconciliation between the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea.