Eritrea, Ethiopia celebrate peace pact

The leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea embraced warmly to the roar of a crowd of thousands yesterday (Sunday) at a concert celebrating the end of a long state of war. A report on the News24 site says a visibly moved Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki addressed the crowd in Ethiopia’s official language, Amharic, on his first visit to the country in 22 years. ‘Hate, discrimination and conspiracy is now over,’ the 72-year-old Isaias reportedly said to cheers. ‘Our focus from now on should be on developing and growing together. We are ready to move forward with you as one. No one can steal the love we have regained now. Now is the time to make up for the lost times.’ Ethiopia’s reformist new Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed (42) is quoted in the report as saying: ‘The reconciliation we are forging now is an example to people across Africa and beyond.’ Another report on the News24 site says Afwerki reopened his country's embassy in Ethiopia today, more than 20 years after the two countries broke off relations when they went to war.