Eritrea has reportedly opened its border with Tigray. Two border crossings have been opened.
Ethiopian and Eritrean governments have not been on good terms for almost a year. Bilateral relations deteriorated when landlocked Ethiopia tried to gain sea access through Eritrea, which Eritrea denied.
Eritrean and Ethiopian governments were allies in the 2-year long deadly war against Tigray regional forces. However regional alliances are shifting. While Addis Ababa and Asmara are drifting apart, Mekelle and Asmara are getting close.
According to local sources, Rama and Zalambesa border crossings have been opened by Eritrea. Goods vehicles are using the two border crossings to transports items of basic need from Eritrea to Tigray. It seems that Tigray government is either importing goods from abroad through Eritrea or it is purchasing from Eritrean markets.
Tigray has been facing a humanitarian crisis for the last 4 years. Though deadly war ended in November 2022, yet majority of the population has been dependent on food aid. The entry of goods from Eritrea into Tigray has led to sharp decline in the price of vegetables, fruits, fuel, cooking oil and other items of daily use.
Interestingly, there is no deployment of Ethiopian National Defense Force (ENDF) on Rama and Zalambesa border crossings. Ethiopian federal government disapproves of developing partnership between Tigray and Eritrea. In coming days, National Election Board of Ethiopia (NEBE) is set to make a decision about the legal status of Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), the ruling party in Tigray. Any decision against TPLF could further intensify hostilities between Tigray ruling elite and the federal government of Ethiopia.
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