Border crossing: Eritrea unilaterally shuts border with Ethiopia

Eritrea has blocked entry for Ethiopians at one of the border crossings that opened this year after the neighbours ended a long military standoff and restored relations, an Ethiopian official and people who live near the crossing said on Friday.

Liya Kassa, spokeswoman for the regional administration in the Tigray region which borders Eritrea, said Ethiopian citizens and Ethiopia-licensed vehicles travelling to Eritrea from the Ethiopian town of Rama were asked for “permits” on Wednesday. Those using a crossing in Zalambessa were asked the same on Thursday, she said.

“The restrictions have only been imposed on the Eritrean side,” she said. “We did not receive any prior notice.”

The restrictions have only been imposed on the Eritrean side. We did not receive any prior notice.