Sudan has opened the Gallabat crossing point to neighboring Ethiopia after months of blockade due to tension over their common border, APA can report on Thursday.
Sudan’s decision to open the border area appears to have something to do with the move to resolve the border issue with Ethiopia through peaceful means.
Sudan’s decision came days after the Ethiopian government announced that it has agreed with UN agency, UNOPS, to rebuild infrastructure in the Tigray region of Ethiopia that was damaged by the war.
Ethiopia is yet to comment on the decision by Khartoum.
The leaders of the two countries met in Kenya earlier this month on the sidelines of the IGAD meeting, and discussed the recent tensions, later agreeing to form a joint committee to end the dispute.
IGAD has been seemingly working behind the scenes to convince the two countries to avoid a border war.
In a news report published on Monday, The East African cited, Workeneh Gebeyehu as saying that IGAD “pushed parties to the table, but it will be entirely up to the two sides to draft an agreement to resolve lingering border tiffs…”
It is also indicated that the two countries have agreed to resort to dialogue to resolve the border issue.
Dr Workneh Gebeyehu, IGAD, Executive Secretary, said “both sides agree on the need for dialogue and have listened positively to pleas for non-violence.
However, he says the border problem that has seen sporadic violence for years will require discussions only determined by the two leaders,” as reported by the East African.
The tension between Sudan and Ethiopia was heightened last month after Khartoum claimed that seven of its soldiers were executed by the Ethiopian Defence Force in the Al-Fashga area.
The Ethiopian Defence Force denied the allegation, blaming the killings on local militias in the area.
One militia was killed during a skirmish with Ethiopian troops.
MG/as/APA