Reportage: Peaceful Neighborhood for Mutual Benefit
Eritrea has for the last two months or so been a venue where leaders of the Horn of Africa come together and reach agreements of cooperation. The peace deal between Eritrea and Ethiopia, visit of the Somali President to Eritrea and of Eritrea’s higher delegation to Ethiopia and Somalia, and the most recent visit of President Salva Kiir of South Sudan are some of the notable indications for a bright future in the region.
Last Saturday 18 August, President Salva Kiir of South Sudan conducted a two-day visit to Eritrea at the invitation of President Isaias Afwerki. During his Stay in Eritrea, President Salva Kiir visited various development sites in the environs of Asmara and in the Southern region. The development sites that President Salva Kiir visited include the Tekera and Misilam dams, agricultural projects, dairy farms, transportation infrastructure, as well as solar energy system.
The two presidents have also held discussion on the enhancement of bilateral relations between the two nations. A dinner reception was hosted at Asmara Municipality Hall in honor of President Salva Kiir and his delegation.
Speaking at the occasion in which senior Eritrean Government and PFDJ officials, members of the diplomatic corps and invited guests attended, President Isaias Afwerki said that the bond between the peoples of South Sudan and Eritrea is distinct from other normative or ordinary ties and that the special bond was nurtured through vigorous solidarity in a common struggle for justice and liberation. (See in box the full text of President Isaias’s speech).
President Salva Kiir on his part indicated that Asmara has unique history in the struggle for independence of the people of South Sudan. The president also commended the bold initiative Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed took for peace and friendship which will have significant contribution in the stability of the region. (See in box the full text of President Salva Kiir’s speech).
President Salva Kiir Mayardit concluded the two-day official visit in Eritrea and was seen off by President Isaias Afwerki and senior government official in the afternoon hours of August 19.
The leaders of the Horn of Africa are coming together to create a peaceful neighborhood where the people of the entire region will mutually get benefited of the new transformation. The recent visits of Ethiopia’s and Somali’s head of states and that of the visit of President Slava Kiir at the invitation of president Isaias is just part and parcel of the far sighted vision.