UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday called on Eritrea and Ethiopia to reaffirm their commitment to the Algiers Agreement, warning that rising tensions could jeopardize stability in the Horn of Africa.
“Today marks the 25th anniversary of the Algiers Agreement, a landmark peace treaty that formally ended the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia and established a crucial framework for peaceful relations between the two nations,” UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
The agreement, signed in 2000, created mechanisms for demarcating the border and reaffirmed the “fundamental principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity” of both countries, backed by the international community.
“At this important milestone, the Secretary-General reiterates the steadfast support of the United Nations for the Algiers Agreement,” the statement said, recalling that leaders of both countries renewed their pledge to peace through a joint declaration seven years ago.
Amid renewed tensions, Guterres urged both nations to “recommit to the vision of lasting peace and the respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity embodied in the Algiers Agreement” and to intensify efforts toward building good neighborly relations.
He also encouraged Eritrea and Ethiopia to continue working with regional and international partners to advance development cooperation.
Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a devastating border war between 1998 and 2000 that claimed an estimated 70,000–80,000 lives. An international boundary commission later ruled that the flashpoint town of Badme belonged to Eritrea, while also deciding that Eritrea should compensate Ethiopia for confiscated shipments at Assab Port.
Eritrea formally gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993.