Joyful Ethiopians and Eritreans embrace at rare border reopening - BBC
Posted: 23 Jun 2025, 16:43
There have been celebrations at the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea as communities from the frontier villages came together for the first time in five years.
Separated by the closed border since the outbreak of the 2020 conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, and subsequent political tensions, Sunday's coming together was a symbolic moment of peace and reconciliation.
The reunion of families and friends took place in the Ethiopian town of Zalambessa in the presence of village elders and religious leaders.
The move to re-open a section of the border was organised by local activists and community figures without the official backing of the authorities on either side.
But those behind it indicated that they had the blessing from officials in Tigray and Eritrea.
Many at the celebration described it as an emotional and long-overdue gathering.
Continue reading https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15wz4l5pddo
Separated by the closed border since the outbreak of the 2020 conflict in Ethiopia's northern Tigray region, and subsequent political tensions, Sunday's coming together was a symbolic moment of peace and reconciliation.
The reunion of families and friends took place in the Ethiopian town of Zalambessa in the presence of village elders and religious leaders.
The move to re-open a section of the border was organised by local activists and community figures without the official backing of the authorities on either side.
But those behind it indicated that they had the blessing from officials in Tigray and Eritrea.
Many at the celebration described it as an emotional and long-overdue gathering.
Continue reading https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c15wz4l5pddo
