UN Chief Urges Eritrea, Ethiopia to Reaffirm Peace Treaty on 25th Anniversary. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Lead Paragraph: On the 25th anniversary of the Algiers Agreement, which brought an end to the devastating border conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on both nations to recommit to the peace treaty and prevent renewed hostilities.
The agreement, signed in 2000, marked the conclusion of a two-year war that resulted in the loss of tens of thousands of lives.
The Algiers Agreement was a pivotal moment in the Horn of Africa, signaling a new era of peace after the conflict that followed Eritrea’s secession from Ethiopia in 1993.
The war, which lasted from 1998 to 2000, resulted in the deaths of an estimated 70,000 to 80,000 people. Despite the initial success of the Algiers Agreement, tensions have been on the rise again.
In March of this year, Ethiopia deployed troops to joint border areas, and Eritrea called for young people to prepare for potential conflict. Guterres emphasized the importance of the agreement, stating that both countries should “reaffirm their commitment to the peace treaty to prevent any renewed conflict.”He also highlighted the positive developments in bilateral relations, noting the 2018 summit between the leaders of the two countries, which was the first visit by an Eritrean president to Ethiopia in 22 years.
The UN chief’s call for peace comes at a critical time, as the region grapples with rising tensions. While the exact nature of the current tensions remains unclear, the international community remains vigilant and hopeful that the Algiers Agreement will continue to serve as a foundation for stability in the Horn of Africa. Further details are expected as both nations consider the UN chief’s appeal.
