Quote of the Day"If Sudan is peaceful and prosperous, I benefit. If Ethiopia is peaceful and prosperous, I benefit. If Somalia is peaceful I benefit." - Eritrean President Afwerki, February 2010.
Source: News report from Sudan Vision Daily by Massawa, Editor-in-Chief - SV, Saturday, 20 February 2010 @ 00:20:00 GMT. Full copy:
Eritrean President Refutes Claims of Supporting Somali Islamic groups - Describes Sanctions as Unjustifiable. Afwerki Criticizes ICC Move towards Sudanese President as baseless Legally, Politically
Eritrean President rejected categorically claims that his country supports Somali Islamic groups, describing UNSC sanctions against Eritrea as of no legal or political justification.
"Our position has always been that we cannot support one (group) against the other", says Afwerki.
While he declined to directly accuse US administration, Afwerki holds special US interest groups responsible of imposing the resolution on the UNSC members. "It was (the sanctions) a result of the frustrations of United States special interest groups who have for the last twenty years failed to achieve their goals in Somalia and horn of Africa," he added.
In an interview with Sudan Vision last Saturday in Massawa, Afwerki regretted the move of IGAD, AU to recommend sanction against his nation. "How can Africa recommend sanctions against one member-nation without any evidences or even justification for that action?" he said affirming the necessity of regional peace. "If Sudan is peaceful and prosperous, I benefit. If Ethiopia is peaceful and prosperous, I benefit. If Somalia is peaceful I benefit."
Asked about the Sudanese Eritrean relation, Afwerki said that it's at its best. On Saturday the Eritrean people celebrated the 20th anniversary of Fenkil Operation which is considered as one of the historic victories in the 30 year-long Eritrean struggle for independence. A Sudanese official delegation headed by Red Sea State governor, Dr. Mohammed Tahir Ella represented Sudan in Massawa celebrations. Last Thursday both Red Sea state governor, and Sudan Airways general manager inaugurated a new flight connecting Port Sudan with Asmara.
The Eritrean President reaffirmed his position in rejecting the ICC move against the Sudanese President. "This is not justified legally and politically. Now, even the United States is not a signatory to the Rome Convention or what they call it. What are the concrete evidences?" he asked pointing out to the conflicting reports about deaths in Darfur. "How can you rely on those who provided these evidences in the names of NGOs, in the names of humanitarian organizations and in different organizations and witnesses to have come with evidences to indict the President to the ICC," said Afwerki.
President Afwerki indicated that the border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia is the main issue behind the current developments. "Even when we went to arbitration and a verdict was given on the border conflict eight years ago they bogged every possibility of solving this problem because they want to keep Eritrea and Ethiopia hostage with a border dispute pending without any solution and they can easily manipulate the whole situation here."
