The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea on Tuesday re-opened a border point between their two countries for road transport, in a first since the two neighbors fought a war two decades ago, Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Meskel said on Twitter.
“President Isaias Afwerki & Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed today officially opened the Debay Sima – Burre border point between two countries for road transport connectivity.
“The two leaders will arrive in Asmara shortly & proceed to Serha-Zalambesa connection for a similar ceremony,” he said.
Ahmed and Afwerki visited their troops stationed at Bure, a region that saw some of the fiercest fighting during their 1998 to 2000 war.
Tensions over the border burned on after the fighting ended – until Ahmed offered to end the military standoff this year as part of a package of reforms that has reshaped the political landscape in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
Pictures on Fitsum’s Twitter account showed Abiy and Isaias walking side by side.
Since signing an agreement in Asmara on July 9 to restore ties, the Eritrean and Ethiopian leaders have moved swiftly to end the two decades of hostility.
Eritrea reopened its embassy in Ethiopia in July, and Ethiopia reciprocated last week.
The two countries have resumed flights.
Eritrea has agreed to open up its ports to its landlocked neighbour and announced plans to upgrade a road between them.
Residents on another part of the border said Eritrean and Ethiopian soldiers started clearing landmines on Monday.
Ethiopia follows a calendar similar to the ancient Julian calendar — which started disappearing from the West in the 16th century — meaning the country will enter its year 2011 on Sept. 11.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar used officially in Eritrea and the West, Ethiopia’s version squeezes 13 months into every year — 12 months comprising 30 days each and a final month made up of just five or six days depending on whether it is a leap year.
Time is also measured differently in the Horn of Africa country.
Days start at dawn rather than midnight. (Reuters/NAN)
