• UN peacekeepers from India keep watch over the 900km long Temporary Security Zone (TSZ).
  • UN peacekeepers patrol the rugged TSZ terrain by foot, vehicle and helicopter. There have been numerous incursions across the tense border with shots fired.
  • Metera IDP camp on the outskirts of Senafe in Eritrea. Most of the 10,800 people living here fled the disputed town of Zalembessa in May 2001 following the border war.
  • Etay Mahari (58) & husband Berhe Hagos (67) came from Zalembessa but fled after Ethiopian troops recaptured the town. They are awaiting the border commission to decide their fate.
  • Eritrean refugees walk in procession to a church in Senafe for the funeral of a woman who died in the Metera camp.
  • Much of Senafe town was destroyed during the conflict. On retreating, the Ethiopian army ransacked much of the town in revenge for Eritrea\'s sacking of Zalembessa.
  • An aerial view of part of the disputed area. In the forground is the Eritran town of Serha, the small settlement in the middle is a UN post then further up the road is the disputed town of Zalembessa.
  • A destroyed building in Serha. Neither Government are prepared to rebuild before the Boundary Commission clearly demarcates the border.
  • Serha, the last Eritrean town before the border was completely destroyed. A small shop caters for the few policeman remaining there.
  • An Eritrean policeman stands guard over the border town of Serha. No Eritrean military are allowed in the Temporary Security Zone but the peace accord allows lightly armed policemen.
  • A UN peacekeeper looks out from the border post on the southern edge of the TMZ between the Eritrean town of Serha and the disputed Ethiopian town of Zalembessa.
  • Zalembessa, once a thriving home to 15,000 people was demolished by retreating Eritrean forces. Now under Ethiopian administration the town could be awarded to Eritrea by the Commission.
  • Mistlia Gebratsadik and her family returned home to Zalembessa after spending 2 years in Adigrat. With the house partially destroyed and no jobs she survives by selling beer.
  • With no work most men spend their time in the numerous beer halls in Zalembessa. Drinking cheap siwa beer their conversations revolve around the upcoming border decision.
  • Priest Malake Kiflesahle has been at Zalembessa Othadox Church for over 60 years. The only time he has left was when Eritrean forces occupied the town forcing him out for two years.
  • Men return to Zalembessa after looking for work in Adigrat. With little infrastructure and no work, both sides are awaiting the Border Commissions decision to bring peace and allow them to rebuild their lives.
Back to the photojournalism/eritrea directory.