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The Eritrean People's Democratic Party (EPDP) has been in the forefront of the struggle supporting and urging efforts for peaceful resolution of the Eritrea-Ethiopia border conflict. The record is well documents in its stated positions throughout the past several years.

In this light, the EPDP supports and highly commends the bold and correct initiative of the EPRDF under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr Abiy Ahmed to resolve the border conflict without any pre-conditions and on the basis of the Algiers Agreement. EPDP also warmly salutes the steps being taken by the Ethiopian ruling party in releasing prisoners and its pledges to widen space for the full participation of political organizations, the civil associations and the mass media in the building of a better future.

The EPDP condemns in the strongest terms possible the terrorist act of 23 June 2018 at the Meskele Square mass demonstration organized in support of the new Ethiopian Prime Minister,  Dr. Abiy Ahmed. Whoever the misguided actors may be, the attempt to create chaos and nip in the bud the promising Ethiopian mass uprising for change is a failed endeavor and stands to be denounced. We are pleased that Dr. Abiy Ahmed escaped safe from the attempt to harm him, and express our sympathies to the injured persons and convey our condolences to bereaved families.   

the EPDP supports the so far positive gesture of the Eritrean regime in accepting the Ethiopian initiative for peaceful resolution of the border conflict and its decision to send a delegation to Ethiopia. However, we underline the truism that the only sure path for peace, justice, prosperity and mutual respect in the region is by ensuring a realistic opening up political space also in Eritrea to guarantee success of the rule of law, justice and constitutional governance where has been absent.

In this regard, we earnestly look for accords between the two governments that serve  the best interests of the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia through promoting the aspirations for peace, justice and democracy in the two countries. Needless to say, we firmly oppose agreements that give advantage to rotten authoritarian order of fear and terror in our country.

We in the EPDP also seize this opportunity to call upon our peoples to work hard to promote the their old fraternal relations. It will be incumbent upon the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia to critically evaluate any misunderstandings between their governments and frown upon any move that can negatively affect the people-to-people interactions.

May Peace, Justice and Democracy prevail in Eritrea and Ethiopia!!

Menghesteab Asmerom,

EPDP Chairman,

24 June, 2018