Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his government has begun negotiations to resolve escalating border disputes with neighboring Sudan and South Sudan.
Addressing the lower house of the parliament on Tuesday, Ahmed said there have been disputes between Ethiopia and Sudan over border issues over the past 60 years.
His remark came after Ethiopians expressed concern that the Sudanese army recently had entered 200 kilometers deep into Ethiopian territory, uprooting farmers and residents at the border areas.
Similarly, armed groups from South Sudan took control of some areas in the western part of the country.
The government is negotiating with the two neighboring states and has established a ministerial commission to peacefully resolve the border disputes, said Ahmed, adding that a sustainable solution could be attained after border demarcation.
Recalling that he had discussion with Transitional Sovereignty Council of Sudan Chairman General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan on the border issue on the sidelines of the 39th IGAD Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, and they agreed to resolve issues through dialogue.
According to the premier, the leaders discussed bilateral and regional issues and agreed to work together to resolve differences between them peacefully.
Responding to a question related to the border issue with South Sudan, Ahmed said the Government of South Sudan doesn’t have the intention to attack Ethiopia and invade border areas.
However, pastoralists with over 20,000 livestock have entered into Ethiopia in search of pasture land, he pointed out.
Ahmed further noted that the government of Ethiopia has been engaging with the government of South Sudan to resolve the issue through dialogue.
MG/abj/APA