The Ethiopian government has denied knowledge of border restrictions imposed by neighboring Eritrea
This as reports emerge that Eritrea has severely restricted movement of people and goods from Ethiopia to Eritrea.
The two Horn of Africa nations are currently enjoying new found relations after years of hostilities with the country’s two leaders working to create lasting peace and ties.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Meles Alem said the Ethiopian government has no information on reports Eritrea has severely restricted movement of people and goods from Ethiopia to Eritrea.
“I have no information regarding reports Eritrea has restricted movement of people from Ethiopia to Eritrea, I will verify the information and get back to you,” Alem told journalists.
There has been no immediate remark from Eritrean and Ethiopian officials on the reasons behind the restrictions on Ethiopian travelers planning to cross to Eritrea.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki re-opened the two countries common border on September 11, more than 20 years after it was shut with the outbreak of bloody war between the two nations.
On June 5, the executive committee of the ruling party, the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front passed a decision expressing commitment to an unconditional implementation of Algiers peace agreement with Eritrea.
Eritrea gave a positive response to Ethiopia’s peace gesture two weeks later, and ever since then, a series of rapid diplomatic moves has seen Ahmed and Afwerki visit their respective countries in July, formally ending two decades of mutual animosity.
The rapid diplomatic thaw between the two countries has also seen Ethiopia and Eritrea restore air links, telephone lines, trade routes and re-open their respective diplomatic missions.