Council approves directive allowing Eritreans to reclaim property
Lawyer Ruta Ghebremichael receives a war damage claims from a
woman in her office in Asmara in this file photo from July 30, 2007.
While no figures have been released, Eritrea estimated in 2005 its
claims could exceed $500 million, or half the country's gross
domestic product for that year. Reuters
24 May, 2009
Reporter - The Council of Ministers has approved a directive that will allow Eritreans who were expelled from Ethiopia on the eve of a border war, to reclaim their property, to work here, to withdraw their money which is in the banks, and to involve themselves in trade and commerce as local investors.
On Monday, the Minister of State in the Government Communications Affairs Office, Ermias Leggesse, told journalists that unless the Eritreans are in one way or another involved with the state and security agencies of the government of Eritrea, they will be allowed into Ethiopia, invest in the country and develop their property.
Unless the property or business has been sold or demolished and is being administered by a person that has power of attorney, then the owners can provide the proper documents and claim their property and businesses.
If the Eritreans have money in the bank then they can withdraw and transfer that after the necessary investigations had been made as to whether they have unpaid debts. Whatever amount they had in the bank is to be paid without interest.
Those who have debts will only be required to pay the amount of money they owe. No fines and penalties will be applied on them.
Ermias stressed that the property of the Eritreans who were expelled before the border war erupted in 1998 should not be considered as confiscated property.