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Sudan Tribune

Plural news and views on Sudan

US interest should not be above the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea

By Ibrahim A. Ibrahim*

Feb 23, 2006 — It has been more than three years since the outcome of the “Algiers Peace Agreement” the Eritrean Ethiopian Border Commission (EEBC) of the final and binding ruling in the Eritrea – Ethiopia border case.

At that time Ethiopia was quick to respond to the final and binding verdict through its foreign minister His Excellency Mesfin Seyoum. He said “Ethiopia have got what it wanted and beyond….. that include Badme….” he also called upon the world community and specially the guarantors of the Algiers peace agreement to pressure Eritrea to accept the final and binding ruling.

On the other hand Eritrea sent a letter of affirmation of the ruling to EEBC queering its finality and binding as it is agreed at the Algiers Peace Agreement. EEBC responded that the ruling is final and binding. Then Eritrean President His Excellency Issayas Afewerki, officially congratulated to both peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea and welcomed the ruling.

After a year, Ethiopia, requested UNSC (United Nation Security Council)’s evolvement after figuring out that the focus point of the war “Badme” is a sovereign Eritrean territory. Ethiopia rejected the EEBC ruling as illegal, contradicting its Algiers agreement and its own, of accepting the ruling. Here it was expected the involvement of the guarantors. Unfortunately, except lip services none of the guarantors took serious involvement measure. To the contrary we observed an illegal means and mechanics to kill the rule of law.

Eritrea have requested none but abiding by the rule of law. This should be highly commended and enforced by the world community. It is obvious, that Eritrea is under no condition to open a dialogue with Ethiopia or by proxy with any other party, as pre- requisite to the demarcation, it is already final and binding.

It is up to Ethiopia to seep and swallow the reality and accept without any precondition(s) the ruling, and let the EEBC deliminate the border once and for all. Once this took place I am sure Eritrea will be keen to hear what Ethiopia wants to engage in negotiation.

As to the guarantors they are responsible for any eventuality that might evolve, if Ethiopia insists on its demand out of the Algiers Agreement. They have legal and moral responsibility to stand on the agreement. Ethiopia can not and should not be allowed to occupy a sovereign land of a member nation of AU and UN in contradiction to their charters.

Surely America have the greatest ear with in the administration of Ethiopia. Trying to save the ruling party in Ethiopia at the cost of the peoples of Ethiopia and Eritrea and to the interest of America, should be a fatal mistake.

* Ibrahim A. Ibrahim (Formerly administrator of Bank of Eritrea, a citizen of US residing in Washington DC)

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