Hundreds of Ethiopians and Eritreans marched through the streets of Ottawa to celebrate what they hope is the end of a 20-year border war between their home countries. 1:08
The crowd credited Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for the budding peace back home. They sang his praises for restoring diplomatic relations with Eritrea and major reforms in the country.
Ahmed took office in April and quickly freed journalists and opposition figures from prison, opened the state-run economy and unblocked hundreds of websites.
"For 27 years we don't have any democracy, any freedom there," said Tsehay Balacha, whose family still lives in Ethiopia. "We are so happy."
Bruck Wubete, 21, is an international student from Ethiopia. The end of the conflict in eastern Africa has given him new hope for a brighter future in his country. (CBC) Ahmed's peaceful message of love resonated with those who gathered in Ottawa to celebrate the
changes.
"Things are getting better for my people," said Bruck Wubete, a 21-year-old international student from
Ethiopia.
He hopes one day his home country will reflect the values of his new home in Canada.
"We want prosperity. We want democracy. We want people to be equal," Wubete said.
Hundreds marched between city hall and parliament hill to celebrate the peace that's emerged between Ethiopia and Eritrea. (Laura Osman/CBC)