NHARNET ARTICLES

Press release

May 18, 2003

The 1998 border war with Ethiopia, which lasted two years, demanded tens of thousands human lives on both sides. In December of 2000, a peace agreement officially ended the war. Subsequently, Eritrea and Ethiopia agreed that the dispute best be handled by an independent border commission, whose ruling, both countries agreed, would be final and binding.

After many months of research and deliberation, the independent border commission reached a decision: the disputed village of Badme is to be a part of Eritrea. This ruling is now, despite prior agreements, being challenged by the Ethiopian administration. The Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) fears that the Ethiopian administration is prolonging its rejection to implement the ruling of the independent commission by not fully withdrawing from Badme, thus risking to knock the Alger peace agreements off-balance. Once again, Eritrea's sovereignty is being challenged, but MDC can and will not succumb to any short-term political benefits, thus its interest lies in sustaining Eritrea's independence and future development.

We therefore call on the Ethiopian government to immediately withdraw from Badme, and for the international community to assume its extensive responsibility in urging the Ethiopian government to stand by the agreements and abide by the border commission's ruling. In addition, MDC demands that the Eritrean National Alliance (ENA) take a firm stance in defence of Eritrea's sovereignty irregardless of the current brutish regime in Asmara. MDC urges the Eritrean people to peacefully cooperate and work together for a democratic Eritrea. 

The liberation struggle, which brought forth our claims for sovereignty, independence, and the establishment of a democratic society, cannot be forgotten! We cannot underestimate the tremendous sufferings and deep scars our hard-earned independence has left in many Eritreans' hearts and souls. Therefore, it is imperative that we do not become subject to temporary power assertion of certain individual's self-centrism.

MDC (Movement for Democratic Change)

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