oea's blog

The Independent Eritrea Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) delivered its final and binding delimitation and demarcation decisions on 13 April 2002 and 30 November 2007 respectively. Emboldened by the diplomatic, financial, military and political shield and support it receives from the United States and its allies, the belligerent minority regime in Ethiopia continues to militarily occupy sovereign Eritrean territories, including Badme, the casus belli of the Eritrea Ethiopia border conflict in 1998-2000.

The Final and Binding ruling of The Hague based EEBC was delivered ten years ago on 13th April 2002. Initially, both Eritrea and Ethiopia accepted the ruling, and the TPLF regime even celebrated claiming how big chunks of land were awarded to Ethiopia. However, few days later, the flip-flopping TPLF regime was instructed by its masters to reject the ruling and take the physical demarcation of the boundaries hostage.

Ten years to this day, on April 13, 2002, the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC) rendered its "final and binding" decision and closed the final chapter of the Eritrea-Ethiopian border conflict once and for all. At least, we assumed so. But, when one of the parties in the dispute, the minority led Ethiopian government, is bent in "emasculating" the people it perceived to be its archenemy, no amount of adjudication will satisfy it from getting its pound of flesh. Irrespective of its signature on a "final and binding" arbitration agreement, and irrespective of the decisions made by the highest court in the land, the Marxist Leninist League of Tigray is still bent in getting its "trophy" at any cost. And, as long as that trophy remains to be "the emasculation and containment of the Eritrean chauvinism", the saga will continue.

Ten years after the EEBC delivered its delimitation decision, the Eritrea-Ethiopia border remains undemarcated. As it stands, Ethiopia still remains defiant and on the wrong side of the norms of international law. By being so, it has put the peace and security of the Horn of Africa in turmoil. As a result of Ethiopia's non-compliance, peace between the two countries remains elusive.

So, here we are witnessing another day, which should have been a day of honor, just whiz by instead as a day of infamy because of the inept and corrupt organization, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), which has become, sadly, the playground of the only Superpower in town! Yes, a day that should have been heralding a brighter future for the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia, has become another causality of the political machinations of the United States coupled with the international communities' nonchalant attitude when it comes to the interest and well being of small nations like Eritrea.

THE EEBC DECISION TEN YEARS LATER AND ETHIOPIA'S ILLEGAL OCCUPATION:
U TURN REQUEST TO DELIVER REAL JUSTICE FOR ERITREA AND ETHIOPIA
By: Yacob
April 13, 2012

As an Eritrean I am approaching Friday the 13th April 2012 with anger, shame and distrust of the powers of this world and great pride understanding of the Eritrean spirit. Some non-Eritreans may not understand the above statement and many not to even know the name Eritrea, but sadly many journalists have written commissioned and fabricated articles against Eritrea.

THE EEBC DECISION TEN YEARS LATER AND ETHIOPIA'S ILLEGAL OCCUPATION:
OPEN LETTER TO THE UNSC
By Simon Tesfamariam
April 13, 2012

Dear Members of the United Nations Security Council,

By - Sam O. Negash

Isn't it a travesty of justice that the UN along with its handful handlers not only tolerates but actively encourages one of the poorest nations on our planet to disregard its ruling? It is 10 years to the day that the EEBC (Eritrean-Ethiopian Boundary commission) which was established by the UN with the full support of the EU, US and UK ruled Badme (the place at the heart of the border dispute) is Eritrean but Ethiopia still occupies this land.

Today, mass food production and food banking is essential to the economic and political sovereignty of a nation. Globally, Food Security is a fundamental objective of populations and governments. Food is vital to all sectors of the people that make up a nation, starting from the smallest child to the most productive adult; it is essential to the growth, prosperity and stability of a country. In Eritrea food security has taken greater precedence as development policy in order to eradicate poverty and to achieve sustainable economic development.

According to the predictions of the so-called western political observers, analysts, and thinkers, Eritrea was not supposed to be independent. Nevertheless, against all odds, and in spite of myriads of hardships, Eritrea, thanks to its determination, perseverance and sacrifice became independent on 24 May 1991. In May of 1993, after its successful referendum (where 99.8% of its people voted for independence) Eritrea took its previously denied place in the assembly of nations. Grudgingly, some nations accepted the fait a compli of Eritrean independence!

After being politically, economically, and socially oppressed and subjugated for centuries by the Turks, Egyptian, Italians, British, and the Ethiopians, the people of Eritrea, in September 1st 1961, started an armed struggle to liberate their country. They wanted to be the champions of their own future and destiny. The armed struggle continued until 1991. Thirty years of tenacity, dedication, and commitment paid off and Eritrea was liberated.

During the 30 years of armed struggle for independence, Eritreans showed three pillars of steadfastness. Three exemplary qualities: determination to be free, perseverance to continue until the finishing line, and the commitment to pay the ultimate sacrifice to be free and independent.