Ethiopia accepts ruling on Eritrea border

By Andrew England

LONDON, Nov 26, 2004 (Financial Times) — The Ethiopian government yesterday accepted “in principle” a ruling from an international boundary commission on its disputed border with Eritrea.

The decision, announced in parliament by Meles Zenawi, Ethiopia’s prime minister, could help to move forward the stalled peace process that ended a 2½-year war between the two nations in 2000.

Ethiopia refused to accept the commission’s ruling in April 2002, delthough spite both parties had agreed it would be binding. The physical demarcation of the border was postponed indefinitely, raising concerns that a minor border skirmish could spiral out of control.

Both countries spent an estimated $1m (?755,500, £530,000) a day on the conflict, which erupted in May 1998, and killed tens of thousands of people.

Neither side appeared willing to compromise, however. Ethiopia disputed the commission’s findings that Badme, a border town, was Eritrean. The Ethiopian government said it wanted to negotiate with its much smaller neighbour.

Eritrea refused to discuss the issue, however, instead insisting that the interna tional community force Ethiopia to accept the decision. Badme was the war’s flashpoint.

Diplomats acknowledge that Eritrea – which gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 – has the moral high ground. But Ethiopia, seen as a strategic ally in a region of instability, has better relations with the west. The international community has been largely silent on the issue.

Despite Mr Meles’ announcement, it remains to be seen whether physical demarcation of the 1,000km border – which was supposed to have begun in May 2003 – will move forward.

“There is progress today, but the question is whether the parties will capitalise on the current opening,” one diplomat said.

Mr Meles still insisted that dialogue should start immediately and continued to criticise the ruling. The two countries have not held formal direct talks since the conflict ended.

“Although it is obvious that the decision of the boundary commission is unjust and unfair, and no matter how difficult it might be, it has been decided that it would be useful and proper to accept, in principle, the decision,” he said.

The United Nations spends $200m a year deploying a 4,200-strong peacekeeping force in the two countries, mainly along the border.