Eritrea Reopens Embassy in Ethiopia

 

Eritrea reopened its embassy in Ethiopia on Monday.

The official reopening came a week after the two sides declared an end to 20 years of a military stalemate. The countries fought a border war in which tens of thousands of people died.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki attended the event Monday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital. Abiy officially gave the keys to the embassy to Afwerki. The embassy’s reopening marked the end of the Eritrean leader's three-day visit to Ethiopia.

On Sunday, Abiy and Isaias attended a concert in Addis Ababa. The show was organized to celebrate a peace agreement between their countries.

Thousands of people cheered as the two leaders put their arms around the other as a sign of friendship.

"Hate, discrimination, and conspiracy¹ is now over," Afwerki told Ethiopians. "We are ready to move forward with you as one. No one can steal the love we have regained² now."

"When we say we have reconciled, we mean we have chosen a path of forgiveness and love," Abiy said.

Abiy took office in April. He is Ethiopia’s first leader from the Oromo ethnic³ group. The Oromos have led three years of anti-government protests that left hundreds dead.

On Saturday, thousands of people stood along the streets of Addis Ababa, some waving Eritrean flags, to celebrate the visit.

Last week, Abiy traveled to Asmara, Eritrea’s capital, where the two leaders signed the agreement ending the state of war.

In addition to reopening their embassies, the two sides agreed to build ports and restart flights between their countries. They also agreed to permit the reuniting of families that have been divided by the conflict.

Under the peace agreement, Ethiopia will surrender disputed border areas to Eritrea.

Eritrea was part of Ethiopia until it broke away. It declared independence in 1993.

Eritrea has long been a target of international sanctions. The United Nations Security Council approved the measures because of the country’s suspected support of extremists.

The Eritrean government also has been accused of human rights violations⁴.

Thousands of Eritreans have fled the country to escape poverty and avoid required military service.

Leaders of both Ethiopia and Eritrea hope the peace deal will lead to more economic development.

I’m Dorothy Gundy.

Words in This Story

stalemate – n. a contest, dispute, competition, etc., in which neither side can gain an advantage or win

key - n. a device that is used to open a lock or start an automobile⁵

conspiracy– n.a plot against someone or something

reconcile – v.to cause people or groups to become friendly again after an argument or disagreement

sanctions – n. an action that is taken or an order that is given to force a country to obey international laws by limiting or stopping trade with that country, by not allowing economic aid for that country

1 conspiracy   

n.阴谋，密谋，共谋

参考例句：

• The men were found guilty of conspiracy to murder.这些人被裁决犯有阴谋杀人罪。
• He claimed that it was all a conspiracy against him.他声称这一切都是一场针对他的阴谋。

2 regained   

复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地

参考例句：

• The majority of the people in the world have regained their liberty. 世界上大多数人已重获自由。
• She hesitated briefly but quickly regained her poise. 她犹豫片刻，但很快恢复了镇静。

3 ethnic   

adj.人种的，种族的，异教徒的

参考例句：

• This music would sound more ethnic if you played it in steel drums.如果你用钢鼓演奏，这首乐曲将更具民族特色。
• The plan is likely only to aggravate ethnic frictions.这一方案很有可能只会加剧种族冲突。

4 violations   

违反( violation的名词复数 )； 冒犯； 违反（行为、事例）； 强奸

参考例句：

• This is one of the commonest traffic violations. 这是常见的违反交通规则之例。
• These violations of the code must cease forthwith. 这些违犯法规的行为必须立即停止。

5 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。