Thursday, July 12, 2018

Ethiopia-Eritrea: A New Hope for Peace

by Ahmed Charai • July 12, 2018 at 1:00 am

By renegotiating the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act, [US President Donald J. Trump] can strengthen American exports, create new export-related jobs and foster development-oriented investment on the continent. By reforming U.S. humanitarian aid to Africa, he can cut considerable bureaucratic waste, and effectively increase assistance without increasing the cost.
Washington can also take advantage of the close relationships between them and one of its biggest allies, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed, Crown Prince of UAE, who has a strong ties with many African leaders and who has played an important role during the different negotiations between Ethiopia and Eritrea.
UAE's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has welcomed the reestablishment of cordial relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea. He has stressed that such an agreement will positively reflect on boosting security and stability in both countries, the Horn of Africa and the MENA region.
Making America great again, as Trump's campaign slogan goes, means helping Africa rise and stabilize.

President Trump with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the White House. Washington can use its alliance with the UAE to strengthen ties with Africa. (Official White House Photo: Shealah Craighead)

The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a declaration on July 9, ending a state of war between the two countries. It was a major step toward resolving one of post-colonial Africa's bloodiest and most protracted conflicts.

The U.N. Security Council said the peace declaration signed by Ethiopia and Eritrea after 20 years as enemies "represents a historic and significant development with far-reaching positive consequences for the Horn of Africa and beyond."

The council commended Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki for signing the agreement and welcomed their commitment "to resume diplomatic ties and open a new chapter of cooperation and partnership."

A statement by the governing party of Ethiopia, the second-most populous country in Africa, said it would "fully accept and implement" the agreement with Eritrea, a former province of Ethiopia, which was signed but never honored.