   |
|
afrol.com, 7 December - During his visit to Ethiopia, UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan yesterday declared that the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea formally is over. "The war is over," he said on a press conference in Addis Ababa, referring to the two year old border conflict that has killed thousands of soldiers and civilians. Following a meeting this morning with Ethiopia's Prime Minister Meles Zanawi, Annan told reporters that he was gratified that the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea had been resolved. "The end of the conflict, he added, is "a positive story, a great story for Africa," and said that this "story of peace" was the best way for Africa to end the year 2000. "This is only the beginning, and we should be seeing other peaceful settlements on the African continent," said Annan. Prime Minister Meles Zenawi said he was optimistic and confident on the further developments. The peace agreement will be signed in Algiers on 12 December. President Abdelaziz Bouteflika of Algeria, the current Chairman of the OAU, led the mediation and will oversee the signing ceremony together with the UN Secretary-General. Annan further said the United Nations is determined to work with the two countries "to ensure that peace will be durable and long lasting." He went on to say, "We started deploying our peacekeepers and we will work with the parties to do the border demarcation." The Secretary-General also said the UN peacekeeping mission would complete its mandate within a limited time period. "We do not intend to linger, and as soon as our work is done, we will withdraw," he said. The Ethiopian-Eritrean border war between the former allied Governments of the two countries never was properly understood. What began as a dispute over some square kilometres of unpopulated, unfertile, arid land on the un-demarked border, developed into a violent war, occupation of vast areas, aerial bombing, placing of thousands of anti-personnel mines, looting, thousands of soldiers killed in combat and tens of thousands of civilians fleeing in the middle of a severe drought. Hate-campaigns in the media in both countries fuelled an at first war-tired population. The most plausible explanations found to this unnecessary war was found in the needs of the Asmara and Addis Ababa Governments to divert attention from national issues. Development has been slower than the great expectations the two "liberation Governments" had been met with. International mediation and condemnation of the conflict could not slow it down until Eritrean forces suffered a major setback, close to capitulation, early this year. International negative reactions were especially fuelled by the fact that the conflict reached its climax in the middle of a humanitarian crisis caused by a severe drought. While the two Governments were spending all their resources on the war, they at the same time cried out for humanitarian aid for their population, suffering hunger. The new Governments thus proved their continuation of the policies earlier performed by the Governments of Emperor Haile Selassie and Menghistu, diverting resources primarily to the military and regional conflicts, even during humanitarian crises. For Ethiopia, politics as usual might continue after the state of peace has finally been achieved. For Eritrea, Africa's newest country, much of the needed goodwill it had in the international society may have been spoiled. Starting from zero in 1993, Afewerqi's Government gained much sympathy for its visible intentions to build a model state and focusing on the development and welfare of the Eritrean people. After its compliancy in the needless war with Ethiopia, the honest intentions of his Government are now being questioned, and is compared to those of the Ethiopian Government. Still, the peace on the Horn will give great relief to its war-ridden population. Refugees are already returning to their homes, and if their fields are not mined, they can start providing for their own livelihood again. World bank recovery credit for Ethiopia - Ethiopia's economy has suffered a major decline in the last couple of years and this has had a devastating impact on thousands of Ethiopians, said Oey Astra Meesook, World Bank Country Director for Ethiopia. "The emergency assistance we are providing will help them restart their lives and also jump-start the economy. We welcome the peace agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea, as this will help us work with both governments to restore long-term social and economic growth." Source: Based on UN and
afrol archives
|
