IDEA Press Release

November 25, 2004

Ethiopian Territorial Integrity Should Be Guaranteed at all Times

After two years of hiatus following the Boundary Commission decision and the relative tranquility on the Ethiopian-Eritrean border, just yesterday, November 24, 2004, the Ethiopian government announced its new peace initiative approved by the Council of Ministers. As per the announcement, posted by the Ethiopian News Agency, “the Council in its session on Wednesday approved the initiative after a detailed evaluation [of] the objective reality that existed between the two countries.”

            The memo on the new peace initiative, however, does not divulge detailed or substantive discussion of the Council that led to its ratification of the initiative. But, “Prime Minister Meles Zenawi would present a report to the house of representatives on Thursday which will be also transmitted live on television and radio.”

            The Institute of Development and Education for Africa (IDEA) Inc. wishes the prevalence of peace between the Ethiopian and Eritrean peoples and strongly supports any peace initiative that can satisfy the interests of both peoples. The Ethiopian and Eritrean people are indistinguishable in their physiognomy, languages, religions, culture, history, and they have a common inescapable destiny. The peace initiative, therefore, should not be aimed at satisfying one party’s short-term interest, but go further to unite both peoples.  The peace initiative also must transcend the narrow tunnel vision of ‘surrendering land for peace.’ The latter initiative would not bring about peace. On the contrary, it will exacerbate the conflict and may lead to permanent quarrel and bloodshed.

            IDEA recognizes the hard fact that the UN peacekeeping forces cannot idly sit on the Ethiopian-Eritrean border, but it also recognizes that a narrow government initiative would trample over the national interest of Ethiopia. No Ethiopian territory should be transferred “for the sake of peace” and no peace initiative should be ratified and determined within the confines of government institutions. The Ethiopian people have a stake in defending the territorial integrity of their nation and the government of Meles Zenawi should permit a national referendum for the final determination of the peaceful resolution to the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict.

            In any peace initiative of paramount historical significance, the Ethiopian people should matter and should have a say, and the territorial integrity of Ethiopia matters at all times.