Ethiopia and Eritrea have united once again now that the border connecting the two nations have reopened for the first time in 20 years.

BBC reports the move comes after months of peace talks between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. For two decades, families and friends who have been divided by the ongoing border war are now reunited.

Five years after the 1993 secession of Eritrea from Ethiopia, a bloody conflict broke out. It claimed the lives of 80,000 people and led to the establishment of a refugee crisis in the east African region. Eritrea claimed the town of Badme in the war, angering Ethiopia and forcing the conflict to last for decades.

The border opening coincides with the start of the Ethiopian New Year, adding to an already festive mood, according to Reuters.

"It's a wonderful day. I came here to meet my relatives who I haven't seen for 20 years. We are so happy," Ethiopian Emmanuel Haile told the BBC in the town of Zalambessa.

#September11 Kudus Yohannes, the Feast of Saint John celebrated in #Eritrea
#Ethiopia, beginning of the harvest season. It is also #Enqutatash, the #EthiopianNewYear – add one more celebration this year- the opening of the #Eritrea
#Ethiopia border @ Zalambesa & Bure after 20 yrs pic.twitter.com/3xFQ04QrLG

— Sophia Tesfamariam (@stesfamariam) September 12, 2018

Since mid-July, the process of reuniting families began with Ethiopian Airlines making its first trip to Eritrea in two decades. There were an estimated 450 people on the celebratory first flight to Eritrea's capital city, Asmara. Demand for the flight was so high, the airline had to fly another plane to Asmara within 15 minutes.

"I have met my mother and my siblings after 24 years," another woman said. "I am so happy. I can't express my joy."

Road links between Ethiopia and Eritrea will be operational, opening the gate for cross border movement of people and goods. With fully normalization, our recent tragic history is coming to an end. #Ethiopia
#Eritrea (2/2) pic.twitter.com/9BRYSeUlW1

— Fitsum Arega (@fitsumaregaa) September 11, 2018

There was hugging, kissing and ululating at the re-opened border between Ethiopia and Eritrea as relatives and friends, separated for more than 20 years, greeted each other.https://t.co/YSRWDTdU4S
pic.twitter.com/6hiOkLPWT5

— BBC News Africa (@BBCAfrica) September 11, 2018

Now that the border is open, trade between the two nations and economic opportunities can grow under a new age of peace.

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Ethiopia-Eritrea Border

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