Ethiopian reunited with long-lost daughters in Eritrea after 16 years

19 July 2018

Adisalem Abu, reacts as he embraces his twin daughters, after meeting them for the first time in eighteen years, at Asmara International Airport after arriving aboard an Ethiopian Airlines flight in Asmara, Eritrea July 18, 2018. — Image caption,
Addisalem Hadigu last saw his daughters when they were teenagers

Ethiopian journalist Addisalem Hadigu has met his daughters Asmera and Danait in Eritrea for the first time in 16 years.

He was among many families kept apart by decades of war and conflict between neighbours Ethiopia and Eritrea.

They were reunited in scenes of tearful joy and relief after the first commercial flight between the two nations in 20 years landed in Eritrea's capital, Asmara.

"My suffering has ended - I have met my daughters and kissed them, and poured my tears," Addisalem told local media.

His reunion with his daughters, who are not twins as reported earlier, filled him with "so much peace and hope", he added.

The 58-year-old had told BBC Tigrinya last week that he had become separated from his Eritrean wife in 2002 when she crossed the border into Eritrea with their children.

Azmera Addisalem and Danait Addisalem get emotional as they see again their father (who is an Ethiopian journalist) for the first time in 20 years, upon his arrival at the Asmara International airport, on July 18, 2018.

AFP

All three were overcome with emotion when they met at the airport

"I was like a dead man walking. My life was without meaning, without taste. The border was closed to Ethiopians, so I could not go after her. I felt like I had died," Addisalem said.

"I used to wish my family had moved to any other country - because it would have been easier to visit them there than to cross the border into Eritrea."

Addisalem Hadigu

Addisalem Hadigu photographed with one of his daughters before the family was separated

Ethiopian Airlines called the flight to Eritrea - the first since the 1998-2000 border war - the "bird of peace".

Air and road travel is now opening up between the two nations, after their leaders this month declared the "state of war" over and agreed to restore diplomatic ties.

Photos of families and loved ones reuniting after years of being apart are being shared widely on social media - including by many in the diaspora.

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Passengers on the historic 60-minute flight sang and danced in the aisles and flight attendants handed out roses and served champagne.