Amb. Andebrhan W. Giorgis' Intervention with Former Ethiopian PM Hailemariam Desalegn

Former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn's conversation with Mo Ibrahim covered a range of issues, including Eritrean-Ethiopian relations from 15:30 to 24:00. The Eritrean-Ethiopian boundary issue was discussed, with Amb. Andebrhan Welde Giorgis invited to give his intervention (18:20 to 24:00) reiterating the point that the boundary issue was already resolved through the final and binding decision of the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) delivered on 13 April 2002. It was also stressed that Ethiopia must unconditionally accept and implement the EEBC delimitation and demarcation decision and withdraw its forces from sovereign Eritrean territory as per the agreement.

More information about the Eritrea-Ethiopia boundary issue is available in Chapter 17 - Securing the Peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia (full chapter and commentary available here) of Ambassador Andebrhan Welde Giorgis’ book, Eritrea at a Crossroads: A Narrative of Triumph, Betrayal and Hope (link). The chapter sheds light on the underlying cause of the war and the stalled peace process, and contribute to a durable resolution of the unfinished boundary conflict as a crucial step towards the normalisation of bilateral relations.

The session was part of the 2018 Ibrahim Governance Weekend, the annual flagship event of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation held this year in Kigali, Rwanda.