Africa’s longest war may finally end

Two decades after a border war erupted between Eritrea and Ethiopia, Addis Ababa says it will abide by a 2002 border commission ruling, offering Eritrea a chance to end Africa’s longest war


1993: Eritrean independence from Ethiopia officially declared

1998: Border war erupts. More than 70,000 people killed

2000: UN peace deal signed in Algiers ends fighting. Both sides agree to accept ruling of international boundary commission

2002: Commission issues ruling, but Ethiopia refuses to accept it – two sides remain on war footing

Jun 5, 2018: Ethiopia’s ruling party, Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front, says it will fully accept ruling that would entail ceding disputed town of Badme to Eritrea


Move is part of radical reform agenda initiated by Ethiopia’s new prime minister Abiy Ahmed
to open up country after 26 years of authoritarian rule

100km 60 miles
Area claimed by Ethiopia but awarded to Eritrea
Area claimed by Eritrea but awarded to Ethiopia
SUDAN
Nakfa
ERITREA
Massawa
Asmara
Badme
Adigrat
ETHIOPIA
Assab
DJIBOUTI
RED SEA
YEMEN


Sources: Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission, BBC, Stratfor 
Picture: Getty Images 
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