US Urges Ethiopia and Eritrea to Work Together

 The US Department of State issued a statement on 12 December 2023 titled "23rd Anniversary of the Algiers Agreement between the Governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea."

On the 23rd anniversary of the Algiers peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, the US encouraged Ethiopia and Eritrea to respect the territorial integrity of both countries and "to work together, in the spirit of the peace they forged, toward a more stable and prosperous region."

Comment:  This appears to be a subtle (maybe too subtle) warning to Ethiopia not to attempt to gain access to the sea through the use of force and to Eritrea to remove its remaining troops from Tigray Region of Ethiopia.  

The Ethiopia-Eritrea Alliance

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 23 January 2021 a commentary titled "The 'Peace' that Delivered Total War against Tigray" by Yosief Ghebrehiwet, a writer who lives in Los Angeles.

This is a long, controversial commentary that focuses on the relationship between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki.  

Eritrean Role in Ethiopia's Tigray Conflict

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 7 December 2020 a commentary titled "Eritreans Caught in Dilemma over Tigray Conflict" by Mebrahtu Ateweberhan, London-based member of Eritrean human rights organization.

The author discusses the conflicting views of Eritreans towards the TPLF and conflict in Tigray Region and the degree of support by Eritrea for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his war effort.   

Reaching a Permanent Ethiopia-Eritrea Peace

Ethiopia Insight posted on 31 January 2019 an article titled "Politicizing Eritrea Peace Perpetuates Conflict Cycle" by Mehari Taddele Maru.

The author argues that until Ethiopian forces stop making use of Eritrea for internal political purposes, genuine peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea will remain elusive. To achieve sustainable peace, there is need to build effective border governance with the active participation of local authorities and communities that leads to a soft border with free movement of people, goods, services and capital.

Resolving the Ethiopia-Eritrea Border Conflict

African Arguments posted on 18 June 2018 a commentary titled "Resolving the Ethiopia-Eritrea Border: What Actually Needs To Be Done?" by Martin Plaut.

The author argues that the road to resolution of the Ethiopia-Eritrea border dispute requires the immediate support and involvement of the UN and the rest of the international community.

Getting to Peace between Ethiopia and Eritrea

African Arguments posted on 18 June 2018 a commentary titled "Ethiopia and Eritrea: Turning the Promise of Peace into the Real Thing" by Abdul Mohammed, chair of the InterAfrica Group, an Ethiopian civil society organization.

The author argues that Ethiopia should drive a peace plan with Eritrea. Ethiopia should put on the table its detailed concerns related to the Algiers Agreement and an agenda for normalizing political and economic relations with Eritrea.

Ethiopia's Offer To Settle Border Conflict with Eritrea Encounters Local Opposition

The Ethiopia Observer published on 11 June 2018 an article titled "Irob Protests in Tigray Display Local Obstacles to Implementing Eritrean Peace Deal" by Arefaynie Fantahun.

The author explains that the Irob people who live along the Ethiopia-Eritrea border in the vicinity of Badme and who would be most affected by the transfer of Badme from Ethiopia to Eritrea find the announcement by Ethiopia unwelcome.

Resolving the Ethiopia-Eritrea Dispute

African Arguments posted on 13 June 2018 a commentary titled "How Ethiopia and Eritrea Can Forge a New Relationship" by Herman J. Cohen, former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs.

Cohen suggests the following four point plan:

--A mutual security guarantee,
--Re-open the border for trade,
--Restore access to Eritrean ports, and
--Remove sanctions against Eritrea.