Dear Dagmawi,

It is interesting to see how an unknown locality to many Ethiopians and the world public at large all of a sudden becomes so popular. I am talking of Badime. A am sure this was also the case of Adwa in 1896.

The occupation of Badime and part of Sheraro on May 12,1998 not only shocked us but also brought a locality formerly not known to us to our attention. Badime's case forced many of us to search it on the maps. One of such people who wanted to know about Badime was myself. On the illegal and known map of Ethiopia and Eritrea, unlike what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea claimed on October 14,1998, Badime is located surely east of the so called straight line connecting Mai Anbessa/Mereb and Mai Tomsa/Tecazze and surely in the so called Yirga Triangle.

After referring to the illegal map which is yet, accepted as the official map of Ethiopia, I then tried to look for references on older maps. I then came across of ITINERARIO DELLA MISSIONE DELLA S.G.I nell' ETHIOPIA SETTENTRIONALE. (Anno 1908)

When one looks at this Adi-Abo in which Badime and Shiraro areas are located is clearly vivid. (Map 1)

But I was not satisfied at this and continued to search for older documents. Among the sources I encountered was the book of Carlo Rossetti, Storia Diplomatica Dell/ Etiopia, Durante Il Regno Di Menelik II, Torino, 1910.

In Rossetti's book pages 257 to 262, I could read the popular agreement between Menelik and Italy (see the text from Rossetti attached) Fortunately Rossetti has also published a very beautiful map to describe the area. He clearly shows where Mai Teb/Setit, Lacatacura mountains, the Kunama country and Mai Ambassa/Mereb. When I joined the points between Mai Ambessa and Mai Teb, I was able to see how for to the west our country should reach. (see map 2)

But the agreement says the demarcation should be carried out by both Italy and Ethiopia, so as to leave Lacatacura and Kunama country to Eritrea. I have been to Adi Abo last week, and from the hills of Adi Agerai town, I could see an endless plain going to the west. This plain is surely the plain on Rosseti's map which is east of the Kunama country.

The map in Rossetti's book, however, shows a line much to the east of Mai Teb as a the boundary between Eritrea and Ethiopia in this area. Since the book was published in 1910 I think, the Italians had already drawn the boundary unilaterally claiming that the boundary should be Mai Ambessa/Mereb and Tomsa/Tecaze. There is no agreement at all to justify this claim.

Whatever the case, one could see in the north that there is an area called the plains of Badima on both sides of the illegal boundary line. Badime, which is east of the illegal boundary line, is of course on the Ethiopian side of Badima plains, and as I witnessed it last week is occupied by the Eritrean forces. Not only Badime but the area between Badime and Shiraro. So the lie of the Ministry of [Eritrean] Foreign Affairs on October 14, 1998 is very clear.

Badime, like Adwa will be remembered in history in the future. Adwa was the place where the United Forces of the Ethiopian peoples defeated European colonialism. Badime will be the symbol of the Victory of the United Forces of the Ethiopian peoples over an anti-people Eritrean Government which tries to perpetuate inner African Colonialism.

The Eritrean Government shall soon face the Fate of Italy, Shabia the Fate of the Fascist Party, and Isayas the Fate of Mussolini.

Thank you Dagmawi for your efforts. I hope this points would support your good efforts.

Namara Gabbisa