Diplomatist Magazine Diplomatist July 2018

AFRICA DIARY Peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia can present the youth of both countries with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. They can both look ahead to the future with great excitement and enthusiasm, instead of being weighed down or greatly burdened by a dark past In addition, it is important to recall that until the emergence of the conﬂ ict in 1998, the two countries enjoyed strong economic, cultural, social, and security relations. Prior to the war, Ethiopia was Eritrea’s top export partner, and thousands of Ethiopians were employed throughout the country. populations. Peace between Eritrea and Ethiopia can present the youth of both countries with a renewed sense of optimism and hope. They can both look ahead to the future with great excitement and enthusiasm, instead of being weighed down or greatly burdened by a dark past.  Quick Points Capital Leader Population Area GDP per Capita GDP Growth Rate (2017 est.) Currency Youth Literacy Rate Infant Mortality Rate Country Calling Code Eritrea Asmara Isaias Afewerki 5,432,216 117,600 km2 823 3.26 Nakfa (ERN) 92 32.9 +291 Furthermore, Ethiopia had been using the Eritrean ports at Assab and Massawa at symbolic rates and without any hindrance. Renewed access to the ports of Assab and Massawa could greatly help Ethiopia’s push to boost exports and increase hard curre ncy earnings, particularly important since, as noted weeks ago by PM Abiy Ahmed, the country’s state-owned enterprises are heavily-indebted and “put at risk the economy.” Observing the ongoing developments, one should not overlook considering what peace will mean for the young peoples of the two countries. Although Eritrea and Ethiopia are dramatically different in terms of the size of their respective populations (approximately 4.5 million in the former, and 100 million in the latter), both have very young Ethiopia Addis Ababa Abiy Ahmed 112,759,070 1,104,300 km2 795 8.45 Birr (ETB) 55 41 +251 * The Author received a BA in Sociology (graduating Summa Cum Laude) from Saint Bonaventure University (New York), and he was the recipient of the university’s Thomas Augustine Award as the distinguished Sociology graduate. Dr. Amahazion received his Master’s Degree and PhD from Emory University (GA, USA). At Emory, Dr. Amahazion also received the Graduate Certifi cate in Human Rights from Emory’s Institute of Human Rights. Dr. Amahazion’s work focuses on human rights, political economy, and development, and his research has been featured and published in a broad range of newspapers, magazines, books, and peer-reviewed academic journals. Currently, Dr. Amahazion is teaching and conducting research in East Africa. Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Diplomatist • Vol 6 • Issue 7 • July 2018, Noida • 53

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