- Erase Border, Erase Old Grievances with Fresh Ethiopia-Eritrea Start
By Zelalem Tamir
When I first visited Eritrea almost six years ago, shortly after the surprising peace agreement between the two countries, the optimism and goodwill between Ethiopians and Eritreans was palpable. The streets of Asmara were filled with celebrations as peoples from both countries mingled freely for the first time in decades. Ethiopian beers flowed freely in Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, which had lifted its previous quota of only two beers allowed per day.
Eritreans were finally able to easily obtain teff, their staple grain, without worrying about supply issues. Trade boomed as Ethiopian and Eritrean currencies circulated without restrictions. I vividly remember exchanging 1000 Ethiopian birr for 250 Eritrean nakfa with traders who handled the transaction casually, a sign of the newfound trust between the neighbors.
However, this honeymoon period was tragically short-lived. Within just a year, another war had broken out as the central Ethiopian government sided with Eritrea in attacks against the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF)-led administration in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The ensuing conflict brought immense human suffering and further strained relations between the countries.
The Tigray conflict dragged on for over two years, inflicting immense suffering, before finally ending in November 2022 with the signing of a peace deal between the federal government and the Tigrayans led administration. While this brought an end to active hostilities, the impact of the war continues to be felt through a dire humanitarian crisis in Tigray. Most significantly for this discussion, the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea remains closed.
It is in this still fragile postwar context that reopening the border between these neighbors takes on renewed urgency. It is worth examining how reopening the border could benefit both Ethiopia and Eritrea economically and socially. Regularized cross-border ties would unlock enormous opportunities that have remained untapped due to political tensions. Returning to a relationship of openness, trust and cooperation could fuel growth and development in both countries.
One key area of potential partnership is infrastructure for transportation and trade. For decades, landlocked Ethiopia relied on Eritrean ports like Assab and Massawa to access international shipping lanes. While Assab's facilities are aging, revitalizing this corridor could meet some of Ethiopia's import needs, especially for parts of Amhara and Tigray regions.
Further investment could expand Massawa's capacity to handle more trade. By collaborating with experienced port operators like Dubai Ports World, which transformed Berbera port in neighboring Somaliland, Ethiopia and Eritrea could jointly develop one of the Eritrean ports into a truly modern commercial hub. This would give landlocked Ethiopia a valuable stake in regional trade while allowing Eritrea's port cities to fulfill their economic purpose. Addressing antiquated perspectives that bar Ethiopian ownership of ports on Eritrean soil will be crucial to enabling such cooperation.
Tourism is another industry primed for growth through Ethiopia-Eritrea integration. Asmara, nicknamed the "Little Rome of Africa" for its Italian colonial architectural treasures, holds immense cultural tourism potential. However, a lack of proper facilities has prevented this sector from taking off.
If Eritrea opened its doors to investment from Ethiopian hospitality firms, which gained experience hosting major conferences in Addis Ababa, jobs and revenues could flow on both sides of the border. Ethiopian companies are well-positioned to build luxury hotels, resorts and lodges that attract travellers to Asmara's walking streets and Massawa's beaches and historical sites.
Imagine projects led by renowned Ethiopian athletes like Haile Gebreselassie that spark a tourism boom. Haile Resorts can be realized in Massawa and Assab. In exchange, Ethiopia could provide preferential treatment for Eritrean businesses and workers, recognizing their people's shared history and culture across the region. Special investment privileges lowering capital requirements could unleash Eritrean entrepreneurship within Ethiopia's large market.
Scholarship opportunities for Eritrean students in Ethiopian universities and professional training programs can nurture the next generation of leaders committed to bilateral cooperation. Sports diplomacy initiatives, like having joint Ethiopia-Eritrea teams compete together, build understanding through shared passion. From easing restrictions on media and civil society to protecting minorities' rights on both sides, small acts of reconciliation go a long way.
Of course, lasting peace can only be built on a foundation of mutual trust and respect for sovereignty. Lingering distrust over issues like the fate of the disputed border towns and the alleged presence of Eritrean troops in Ethiopia’s Tigray region must be resolved through open and principled dialogue. Both governments need political will to compromise for the greater good of their peoples.
The international community too has a responsibility to encourage this process rather than take sides. Overall stability in the Horn hinges on Ethiopia and Eritrea transforming their relationship from one marked by conflict to defined by partnership. Their complementary strengths and interdependence makes this goal achievable if leaders have the vision and courage to pursue it.
At the end, while political obstacles remain tall, reopening the Ethiopia-Eritrea border presents a golden opportunity to drive economic integration and human development. Turning the page on the past requires good faith on all sides, but the rewards of cooperation – in jobs, trade and shared prosperity – will lift spirits across the region. It is time for Addis Ababa and Asmara to renew the promise of the short-lived peace and recapture the optimism I witnessed on Eritrea's streets six years ago.
Zelalem Tamir is an economist by profession. He can be reached at zelalemteamir@gmail.com.
