In an historic move, the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea have signed a peace agreement, ending the decades-long conflict between the two nations. The agreement, signed in July 2018, has been hailed as a significant step towards peace and prosperity in the region.

The conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea dates back to 1998, when a border dispute escalated into a full-blown war. The war lasted until 2000, and resulted in the deaths of an estimated 100,000 people. Since then, the two countries have been in a state of stalemate, with a tense border and no communication between the two governments.

However, in April 2018, Ethiopia`s new prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, announced that he was willing to open talks with Eritrea. This was a bold move for Ahmed, who had only been in office for a few months, but it was one that was welcomed by the international community.

Over the following months, Ahmed and Eritrea`s president, Isaias Afwerki, engaged in a series of high-level talks, culminating in the peace agreement signed in July 2018. The agreement includes the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the opening of borders, and the resumption of trade and transport links.

The peace agreement has been met with widespread praise from the international community. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described it as a “historic event,” while the US State Department called it a “bold and courageous move.”

The agreement is particularly significant for Ethiopia, which is Africa`s second-most populous country and has been experiencing rapid economic growth in recent years. With the reopening of trade and transport links with Eritrea, Ethiopia has the potential to become a major economic hub in the region.

The peace agreement has also been welcomed by Ethiopia`s neighbours, including Somalia, Sudan, and Djibouti, who have all been affected by the conflict between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The agreement could potentially lead to greater stability and cooperation in the region.

Overall, the Ethiopia-Eritrea peace agreement is a momentous event that has the potential to bring about significant changes in the region. As the two countries move towards greater cooperation, there is hope that this will lead to increased prosperity and stability for all the people in the Horn of Africa.