Since the thaw in relationship between Ethiopia and Eritrea spearheaded by Ethiopia's prime minister Abiy Ahmed, the East African nation has confirmed the withdrawal of its troops from disputed territories on the border with Eritrea, following the the landmark peace deal signed by both countries in July.

Both neighbouring countries have been in decades long border dispute, with the border town of Badme a major flash point in the dispute which killed tens of thousands of people and splitting many families.

The withdrawal of troops had always been a key demand of the Eritrean government prior to the July deal, which restored trade and diplomatic ties between Eritrea and Ethiopia that had been severed by the bitter war fought between 1998 and 2000.