The former foes have reconciled in recent months, reopening embassies, resuming flights and now reopening the border.
Politics Africa Ethiopia Eritrea Since signing an agreement in Asmara on July 9 to restore ties, the two leaders have moved swiftly to end two decades of hostility [Minasse Wondimu Hailu/Anadolu]
The land border between Ethiopia and
Eritrea has been opened for the first time in two decades.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki opened the frontier at Burre on Tuesday, a region that saw some of the fiercest fighting during their 1998-2000 war.
Tensions over the border burned on after the fighting ended until Abiy offered to end the military standoff this year as part of a package of reforms that has reshaped the political landscape in the Horn of Africa and beyond.
The two leaders also celebrated the Ethiopian new year together with their troops at Burre, before opening another border crossing point between Ethiopian border town of Zalambesa and Serha on Eritrian side.
"PM Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afwerki are visiting Bure Front along Ethio-Eritrea border to celebrate the New Year with members of the Ethiopian & Eritrean Defense Forces following the full normalization of the relations between the two countries. #Ethiopia #Eritrea," Fitsum Arega, Abiy's Chief of Staff, said on Twitter.
Pictures on Fitsum's Twitter account showed Abiy and Isaias walking side by side.
PM Abiy Ahmed and President Isaias Afwerki are visiting Bure Front along Ethio-Eritrea border to celebrate the New Year with members of the Ethiopian & Eritrean Defense Forces following the full normalization of the relations between the two countries.
