afrol News, 19 May - Opposition groups and media in Ethiopia are alarmed by the alleged ceding of Ethiopian territory to neighbouring Sudan. Some even speak about a Sudanese "occupation of Ethiopian land," but the government holds that the case is a simple re-demarcation of the border.

The Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Party (EPRP) has condemned what it calls the "illegal occupation of Ethiopian land by Sudanese army." In an open letter addressed to Prime Minister Meles Zenawi, EPRP had concerns on the alleged brutality and kidnappings faced by Ethiopian farmers in their land. The letter further stresses that Ethiopians would not accept the occupation without resistance and a fight.

The EPRP further called on Sudanese President, Omar Al Bashir, to "withdraw his troops" from Ethiopian land and "release the Ethiopian farmers held in the Sudan."

The boarder demarcation has been a source of conflict between Ethiopia and Sudan people for a long time. Both countries have been trying to re-demarcate the border since 2001 to resolve the conflict.

The governor of Benshanguel Gumez state, which boarders Sudan, Yaregal Aysheshim said rumours spread on the media that Ethiopia has given its land to Sudan, were "desperate attempts" by opposition parties to destabilise both countries.

He said the Ethiopia and Sudan had agreed to demarcate their common border and a common border commission had been established to address the problem. He called on the Sudanese people to collectively condemn destructive missions being a plot by "irresponsible bodies".

The Benshanguel Gumez region is a home to thousands of Sudanese refugees who fled their home years ago following the civil war in Darfur, which left thousands dead and others displaced.

EPRP, a former Marxist opposition party but today being a Social Democratic Party which accepts multi-party democracy, said government overlooked protests by the Ethiopian people not to give up land in return for advantages in Sudan. This minor opposition party also blamed the Ethiopian government for not associating the elders from both countries in the border demarcation to resolve the disputed land.

Ethiopia and Sudan first signed the border agreement in 1903 and 1909 and agreed to re-demarcate the border in 1972. But to date, border demarcation has not been effected.

By Tšepiso Mncina

© afrol News

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