The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea reopened crossing points on their shared border for the first time in 20 years on Tuesday, cementing a stunning reconciliation and giving Addis Ababa a direct route to its former foe's Red Sea ports. "We heralded the new year by demolishing the trenches along our border," Abiy told reporters, referring to the fact that Ethiopian New Year was celebrated on Tuesday. Thousands of people from both countries watched one border opening ceremony in Zalambessa, an Ethiopian border town that was reduced to rubble soon after hostilities between the neighbors started in 1998. The two leaders opened another frontier crossing at Bure, Eritrea's Information Minister Yemane Meskel said in a tweet. Eritrea reopened its embassy in Ethiopia in July, Ethiopia reciprocated last week and the two countries have resumed flights.

Source: Ethiopian News September 11, 2018 13:07 UTC