Reconciliation is best for Eritrea and Ethiopia in order to move forward

Now is the time for East African leaders to concentrate on development in order to make the transition from aid dependency to foreign direct investment.

TO SIMPLIFY IT: NO PEACE, NO DEVELOPMENT.

Ethiopia and Eritrea contribution to the rise of Christianity is well documented through Biblical works, cultural and artistic paintings in both countries. In fact for a long time Eritrea was part of Ethiopia. But that was then.

Now, Horn of Africa residents are furious about the extreme poverty that exist in the region. So much so that a large portion of immigrants who are risking it all to reach Europe, came from this neck-of-the-woods.

After decades of war and famine hopefully peace is on the horizon, as DR Abiy Ahmed extended a peace pipe to dictator Isaias Afwerki, and now they are in the feeling out stage. Once peace is achieved Eritrea should institute a government that works for the people and not just a few. The people should demand Democracy Now. I applaud Ethiopia for making a credible efford to reform the system, But Abiy still has a lot of work to do.

Peace is possible between these ancient civilizations and it will serve the region right as both countries are culturally instep, with significant Muslim minority populations. Ethiopia is in dire need for port access and Eritrea has Massawa and Assab to provide shipping. Also Eritrea would benefit from trade as Ethiopia has more than 100 million people.

But the forces of evil are lurking nearby as Red Sea ports are being gobbled up quickly, as far away as America, China and Europe. Less not leave out Saudi Arabia with its brutal war in Yemen, fighting to remove the Houthis and its sponsor Iran. They are fighting for Shia and Sunni influence, or control in the region.

Ethiopia and Eritrea should stay clear of driving down the same road as their Arabian neighbors, who are creating a catastrophe in Yemen.

With Muslims at war with each other in Arabia, how long will it be before the war spread into The Horn. UAE, along with the Saudis have a base in Eritrea, and one is in the planning stages for Somaliland, a region in Somalia. Qatar is building one in Sudan.

The time for Peace in the region is now. You must unite in order to fight the anti-peace forces, knawing at your doorsteps.

Reform and reconciliation is needed in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Abiy may the leader to institute the changes that will turn Ethiopia into a democracy. Hopefully, the same can be said about Afwerki.