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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 June 2000 Issue No. 485 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 8 - 14 June 2000 Issue No. 485
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Features Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Give peace a chance
Evidence is only now emerging of the full horror of the conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Amid accusations and counter-accusations, battles are still raging along the disputed border in scenes reminiscent of World War I. Bodies of Ethiopian troops are reportedly strewn across the battlefields of western Eritrea. Retreating armies apparently do not have enough time to take the wounded with them. The injured, abandoned to their fate, invariably die a slow and painful death. Ethiopia accused Eritrea of rounding up 7,500 retreating Ethiopian troops and herding them into concentration camps.The full human cost of the war has yet to be calculated. Some 750,000 Eritreans were made homeless, and a huge refugee population has fled to eastern Sudan. Always tottering on the brink of crisis itself, Sudan is unable to bear this burden for long.
Inside Eritrea, the towns briefly occupied by the Ethiopians, such as Barentu, have been utterly devastated. The Eritreans say that the Ethiopians destroyed all public buildings, including hotels, hospitals and schools, as well as many houses. The regional economy seems to be in tatters. Widespread looting and destruction are being reported. Many people who have lost property cannot return home. They either join the dispossessed in refugee camps or seek the aid of relatives elsewhere.
It is estimated that Eritrea will take years to recover fully from the devastation. A huge swathe of territory in western, central and eastern parts of the country has been laid waste.
While it appears that Eritrea has borne the brunt of the conflict, Ethiopia, too, has suffered terrible pain. Currently, severe drought has parched the eastern third of the country. The people desperately need at least 800,000 tons of food aid. Famine stalks the land. Eight million are on the verge of starvation, but precious resources have been diverted to wage war.
The entire international community urges the two sides to resolve their differences and end this senseless conflict. The current Algiers peace talks, sponsored by the Organisation of African Unity, must be given a chance to succeed.
