"The war between Eritrea and Ethiopia which began in May 1998 took the world by surprise. During the war both sides have mobilised huge forces along their common border and have spent several hundred million dollars on military equipment. Outside observers have found it difficult to evaluate the highly polarized official statements and proclamations issued by the two governments in the conflict." "This book presents important, contextual aspects in order to explain the growing discord between the two former friendly governments of Eritrea and Ethiopia. It looks at the historical relations between the two countries since the late nineteenth century, the history of border issues from local perspectives, and the complicated relations between the former liberation fronts - the EPLF and TPLF - who subsequently have formed the governments of the two countries."--Jacket.