A new note: When I wrote the statement above more than 21 years ago, I said only Eritrea’s democratically elected post-Isaias government had to sign the treaty.

My reason was simple: I wanted the treaty to be signed in broad daylight. Eritreans watched Isaias dealing only under the table, which allowed him to make up rules that suited him as he went along. He did not want to be constrained by laws or a constitution.

But now, for the sake of peace, I want to retract that part of my statement, so I not only support but urge Isaias to sign a treaty as a gesture of peace with Ethiopia, but only if it will be in front of the world.