Isayas accepts border ruling

Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki has said his country "gladly accepts" the border ruling issued on Saturday, noting that the decision "confirmed" Eritrea's national borders.

Eritrean radio said he told local journalists on Monday evening that the verdict would now usher in peace. He congratulated the Eritrean people, both inside and outside the country, saying they had "harvested the fruits of their efforts in safeguarding the sovereignty of their nation".

"The decision by the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission on 13 April was an occasion whereby Eritrea confirmed its borders as a nation," he said.

The independent Boundary Commission, based in The Hague, on Saturday issued a long-awaited decision on border delimitation, which both sides have agreed is final and binding.

Isayas again accused Ethiopia of declaring war in 1998, saying it "was not willing to accept a peaceful resolution because it was prepared for the war after issuing a new map [in 1997] that
incorporated a sizeable chunk of the Gash-Barka [region, in western Eritrea]".

The radio said he recalled the huge human and material losses suffered over the last four years. "The fact that a legal and peaceful solution has been found to end the unnecessary war will bring about peace not only now, but also for future generations," Isayas said.

The ruling opened a new chapter for the Eritrean people, he added. He called for accelerating development activities, saying he was convinced Eritreans "will succeed in the new chapter".