During the different phases of Eritrean struggle (political and armed) the main and central notion for those who were involved in the fight for independence was: A free country by all Eritreans and for all Eritreans. Without any details – the independence movement believed that Eritreans would be better off after independence.

With a series of events in the past year suggesting change could be afoot, the time is ripe for renewed attention on Ethiopia-Eritrea relations. Eritrea is with some frequency referred to as "The North Korea of Africa".

Change is in the air in Eritrea, a highly authoritarian state, but any political transition will require internal political inclusion and channels for external dialogue if it is to preserve stability and improve Eritrean life.

The term partnership emerged in the Eritrean political arena during 1999 between the opposition political organizations under the name Eritrean Alliance of national forces/ ENA. The aim of this partnership was transforming contractual relationship into a cohesive and cooperative struggle to overcome the dictatorship in Eritrea and build an all inclusive democratic Eritrean guaranteeing the fundamental human rights civil liberites of all citizens. They have agreed to work together under one charter.

Kenya's Coast Provincial Commissioner, Mr. Samuel Kilele, on Saturday (March 30th) linked a local secessionist organization, the Mombasa Republican Council, with Al-Shabaab.

South Sudan has said it is on the way to join the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement, which Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania and Burundi have signed. South Sudan’s Water and Irrigation Minister, Paul Mayom Akech has been quoted as saying "South Sudan does not recognize - and underline does not recognize – the content of the 1959 agreement." The minister added that at the time South Sudan did not exist and could not say anything, but "today we say, we have nothing to do with this agreement."

Ethiopia begins a process to ratify the Nile Basin Cooperative Framework Agreement (CFA) into legislation by the House of Peoples Representatives.

Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia have had long standing relations for many centuries, both in terms of business relations and people-to-people contacts. Cultural bonds are deep-rooted, strong and ancient. Indeed, they go back to the time of the Prophet when he told his family and followers to take refuge in Ethiopia when threatened by persecution in Mecca.

Uganda announced that it was granting asylum to the 15 players from the Eritrean football team and the team doctor who stayed in Uganda and asked for refuge in December during the 2012 Cecafa Tusker Senior Challenge Cup.

Sudan's President, Omar Al Bashir, paid a visit to Isaias Afwerki in Asmara today.  Accompanying Al Bashir were Sudan’s Defense Minister and Intelligence Chief.   Isaias Afwerki, as usual, broke with protocol and was not accompanied by his defense minister or chief of intelligence.  The "working visit" lasted a day and Al Bashir returned back to Sudan.