The final and binding ruling of the Eritrean-Ethiopian Border Commission (EEBC) of April 13, 2002 finally had a closure after five and a half years with a virtual demarcation. A legal map containing all the necessary details was handed to the governments of Eritrean and Ethiopia as well as the cartography unit of the United Nations, thus ending the political, legal and technical aspects of the border dispute once and for all. Such a step is of great historic importance to Eritreans, and additional historic evidence significant to the Ethiopian people and its political forces, as both the Eritrean and Ethiopian people have wasted precious time fighting against expansionist regimes of Ethiopia.

Eritrea has had clearly demarcated boundaries since the 1900s. However, in the midst of last century, at a time when most African countries were gaining independence, Eritreans suffered a tragic incident: they were forced into a federal union with Ethiopia simply for geo-political interests.

The then Secretary of State of the United States, John Foster Dallas, had admitted that the unfair decision:

“If it were for justice, the Eritrean people’s appeal for independence should have been given consideration. But to serve American strategic interests in the Red Sea and world security, it is important for Eritrea to be united with our ally Ethiopia…”

Although Eritreans never fully accepted the federation but believing in the rule of the law, and not being conscious of the expansionist political culture of the Ethiopian regimes, conserved its internal freedom and tried to coexist in harmony with its colonizers. But the imperialist administration of Ethiopia had no intentions of coexistence but to take over Eritrean land and sea. So it was not long before Ethiopia started infringing the conventions of the federation without even asking consent from the Eritrean people or the United Nations, and eventually annexed Eritrea. And since the federation was initially intended to pave way for Ethiopia’s domination of Eritrea, neither the UN nor the then world superpowers condemned the action.

At first, the Eritrean people opted for peaceful and legal means to oppose the action, but realizing the deaf response of the international community, it was forced to wage an armed struggle for its liberation. Following 30 years of bitter struggle and heavy human sacrifice, Eritrea managed to win independence in 1991 and after holding a referendum with a vote of 99.8% for freedom, it declared its sovereignty to the world.

Despite Eritrea’s sovereign territory being reinstated, the Ethiopian regime still found it difficult to wipe away the false sense of possession of the Eritrean sea outlet. Different Ethiopian politicians were engaged in defamatory campaigns against Eritrea and its independence. The government of Eritrea and its people, however, patiently waited for the unconstructive attitude to wear off and instead tried to build brotherly relations with the people and political forces of Ethiopia.

Neighboring peoples, like President Isaias once said, there is no alternative other than living in peace and harmony. And indeed, two neighboring peoples have only two choices: either to live in harmony and partnership towards progress, or else live in constant tension and conflict, thereby sinking to poverty and backwardness.

The government and people of Eritrea wisely opted for the first choice, forgot the crimes committed against them without even asking compensation, and set out to open a new chapter in history. In the first seven years of independence, this good will on the part of Eritrea enabled the formation of a relatively peaceful relationship between the two countries. And despite certain provocations on the Ethiopian side, the sisterly relation between Eritrea and Ethiopia was named as exemplary.

For the TPLF regime to stay in power, the support of the Eritrean people had a decisive role for two reasons: one because the regime came to power through the help of the EPLF and the Eritrean people; and second because the regime is only a political force that doesn’t represent the whole country and that doesn’t enjoy the support of its own people.

So when the TPLF regime thought it had full control over Ethiopia’s internal situation and believed it had a stronghold in power, it declared war against Eritrea.

The two-year conflict, which caused massive human and material loss and put our region in turmoil for the last 10 years, was none other than a plan by the minority regime in Ethiopia to stay in power and proclaim itself as a regional superpower, all at the expense of the Eritrean people.

The war the TPLF waged against Eritrea under the pretext of Badme, revealed the regime’s illegal actions and pushed it into a political crisis. And when the EEBC gave its verdict, the regime thought it would only be suicide to accept demarcation.

What should be remembered here is the role of the US Administration and the United Nations. Just like in the 1940s and 1950s when the US played a great role in annexing Eritrea with Ethiopia, also in the past 5 years the US has been supporting Ethiopia while it defied the rule of law. Similarly, the United Nations, just as it ignored the fall of the UN-sponsored federation, it was silent while the TPLF violated all international rules and principles.

Yet, this betrayal didn’t realize the TPLF’s dreams of expansion as it didn’t realize the objectives of former Ethiopian regimes. Instead, internal opposition and external threats fuelled the TPLF’s pace to decline. The imminent fall of the regime has now become obvious.

The people and political forces of Ethiopia must now have learned a lesson from the Hailesellasie, Dergue and TPLF regimes that neither a war with Eritrea nor the obsession with sea outlet will do them any good.

Now the only thing that remains is to end the United Nations peacekeeping mission and the forced removal of the TPLF army from sovereign Eritrean territory. It should not be forgotten that the UN, being the highest international body entrusted with ensuring world peace and security as well as guaranteeing the Algiers Peace Agreement, still holds moral and legal responsibility to take the necessary measures forcing the evacuation of the TPLF army from Eritrean territory.

But since a just decision or carrying out of its responsibilities is not to be expected of the United Nations, the Eritrean people, just as it patiently waited for the virtual demarcation, will still wait for justice in unity and steadfastness while carrying out many sided efforts for liberation and development. In the end, no matter how, every piece of land will, in fact, be returned to its rightful owner.

(Hidri Magazine Volume 36, March 2008)