Ethiopia Accepts Panel’s Ruling on Eritrea Border

ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia —  Ethiopia said Thursday that it accepted “in principle” an independent commission’s ruling on its border with former foe Eritrea, possibly signaling an end to a dispute that has simmered since their 1998-2000 war.

The ruling said the town of Badme, the focus of the border war that killed about 70,000 people, belonged to Eritrea.

“Although it is obvious that the decision of the boundary commission is unjust and unfair ... it has been decided that it would be useful and proper to accept, in principle, the decision of the boundary commission,” Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi told Parliament.

“This matter is not more important than peace.”

Ethiopia previously refused to accept the commission’s ruling on where the disputed 620-mile frontier should lie.

Eritrea, which has long accepted the verdict in its entirety, was guarded in its reaction Thursday.

“The agreement is clear. The decision has to be accepted and implemented in full,” said Yemane Gebremeskel, an aide to Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. “If the acceptance is serious, then the demarcation, which is long overdue, has to be implemented. If it is a public relations exercise, then it would not be helpful.”

Meles called for immediate talks with Eritrea on implementing the commission’s decision. He said Ethiopia’s acceptance of the ruling should assuage any fears that the two countries could return to violence.

African Union President Alpha Oumar Konare hailed the move as “a great day for Africa.”

“Any war between Ethiopia and Eritrea would have been a serious blow to Africa, since Ethiopia is not only the headquarters of the AU, but the real capital of African integration,” he said through his spokesman.