Reconciliation between Ethiopia and Eritrea could change politics and security in the volatile Horn of Africa region, which hundreds of thousands of young people have fled in search of safety and opportunities in Europe.

Abiy, who is also trying to bring stability to a country that has been torn by protests since 2015, survived a grenade attack last month. 

A Reuters witness said thousands thronged Addis Ababa’s main thoroughfare Bole Road, sporting T-shirts emblazoned with the pictures of both leaders. The flags of both countries fluttered from lamp posts, while some waved giant Eritrean flags.

“Welcome home President Isaias!!”, Abiy’s chief of staff wrote on Twitter. 

Eritrea and Ethiopia have so far agreed to open embassies, develop ports and restart flights. Eritrea is due to reopen its embassy in Addis Ababa on Monday.

Eritrea’s Information Minister Yemane Meskel said on Twitter Isaias was accompanied by several ministers and other senior government officials.