Rival Horn reporters bridge gap

Ethiopian and Eritrean journalists: Talking to each other

By Nita Bhalla at the Mereb Bridge on the Eritrean-Ethiopian border

There was an air of optimism as over 40 journalists from Ethiopia and Eritrea attended their first ever joint press conference, following years of trading war propaganda.

It was a symbolic moment as journalists on Thursday crossed the Mereb Bridge on the two countriues' western border to meet each other half way.

I am reminded that words, whether written or spoken can keep a war alive, even after the guns have fallen silent

UN envoy Legwaila

There was initial apprehension as they stood on the red-carpeted bridge, with the murky waters of the Mereb river flowing beneath.

During the three-year conflict, the reporters from the state-controlled media peddled hate propaganda and serious insults in newspapers, radio and television, calling each other puppets of their respective governments.

First steps

Unsurprising, the journalists remained in their own groups, eyeing one another suspiciously, from a safe distance.

Legwaila says the meeting was a symbol of renewal

Later they braced themselves and took a few steps towards colleagues from "the other side".

The chatter began and the reporters mingled, asking one another's opinions of the war which has cost both countries tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars.

Many believe the media played a significant role in the campaign and now they have a duty to promote peace.

'Symbol of life'

The head of the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea, Legwaila Joseph Legwaila, urged the journalists to cease the name-calling.

The meeting of the reporters was a symbolic moment

"This joint press conference on the Mereb Bridge is both symbolic and allegorical. It is a symbol because it seeks to pull you together, to recognise that great tragedy that took place between the two brotherly peoples," he said.

"It is allegorical because the waters of the Mereb over which we stand today are the symbol of life and renewal", said Ambassador Legwaila.

"I am reminded that words whether written or spoken can keep a war alive, even after the guns have fallen silent. The media on both sides should now observe a verbal cessation of hostilities."

First group

Eritrean journalist Milikias Mehretab from the private Kestedemina newspaper said|:"During the war, we and the Ethiopians reported too much nationalistic propaganda. We now realise that we both made mistakes."

The Ethiopians were also optimistic.

Sisay Haile Selassie, a producer at state-owned Radio Ethiopia said: "Peace is now a real possibility and the Eritreans, like the Ethiopians, really seem to hope that we can reconcile after such a devastating war."

The journalists are the first group of civilians from both sides of the border to meet.

However, it remains to be seen what the reporters will write when they are away from each other.