In July 2018, Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace deal, ending two decades of no war, no peace situation. The treaty, fermented by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, was a much-heralded rapprochement that promised friendship and cordial relations between the two countries.

· Eritrea and Ethiopia are among the most impoverished countries in the world. Eritrea was initially a part of the Ethiopian empire but was later colonized by Italy. After Italy's defeat in World War II, the region was made part of Ethiopia. Still, it was allowed a great deal of autonomy.

: Eritrea's independent status was removed, and it became an Ethiopian province.

: after a revolution in Ethiopia, Eritrea gained independence, but the borders between the two countries were never clearly marked. Soon after Eritrea invaded the area of Ethiopia, it viewed as its own. Arguments, minor skirmishes, Trench warfare and the deaths of many soldiers and civilians continued since then.

: The war began between Ethiopia and Eritrea

: Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed took office and accepted an independent commission's 2002 boundary decision.

The settlement was internationally praised as it showed potential for improving the two countries' affairs and stabilizing the regional dynamics in the horn of Africa. Prime Minister Abiy even received the Nobel Peace Prize in 2019.

Many in the international community had hoped that the Ethiopia-Eritrea rapprochement would foster new channels of communication and engagement. Though many positive steps have been taken in this regard, there is still a lot of work in progress. The major obstacle in this path is the ever-escalating tension between Ethiopia's federal government and Tigray regional state and the unresolved animosity between Tigray and Eritrean leaders.

The peace deal between President Isaias Afwerki and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed failed to adequately consult some stakeholders like the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party in Tigray.

Peace agreements are more successful and most likely to stick when they are all-inclusive, meaning the negotiations and the outcomes should include all stakeholders related to the dispute. Unfortunately to this date the Tigray region in Ethiopia is still not part of the process.  Political analysts believe that without a political settlement, including Tigray's role in it and amidst the rcurring tensions between Abiy's federal government and the leaders in Tigray,

 it's hard to guarantee lasting peace between the two states. 

Although as a step towards ceasefire, the Tigray foces announced withdrawal from Amhara and Afar in December 2021, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed will need to consider the other side’s demands otherwise, conflict could break out once again.

Ethiopia & Eritrea - Will the Peace Last?

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