Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has thanked the UN Security Council for responding to his country’s call to lift sanctions against neighbouring Eritrea.

The UN vote comes a few months after the two countries agreed a peace deal.

In his tweeted statement, Mr Abiy said the lifting of the sanctions were important for the whole of the Horn of Africa:

The lifting of the sanctions will have far-reaching effects in improving the stability of the Horn of Africa region and in building peace and normalisation of relations among the countries of the region.

It will further enhance the collaborative gains that we have achieved in the region over the last few months."