Eritrea rejects ICC issue and stands alongside the Sudanese people

Eritrea's President Isaias assured a Sudanese government delegation headed by Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie that as the move being taken by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Omar Hassan Al-Beshir not only targets the Sudanese leader and the Sudan itself but also the entire countries of the region, Eritrea would not accept it and would stand alongside the Sudanese people.

Source: The State of Eritrea's Ministry of Information at shabait.com (hat tip AllAfrica) by Staff March 2, 2009:

President Isaias holds talks with Sudanese government delegation



Asmara, 2 March 2009 - President Isaias Afwerki today received and held talks at the State Palace with a Sudanese government delegation headed by Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie, Sudanese Presidential Assistant and Head of Political and Organizational Affairs of the ruling National Congress Party.

President Isaias assured the delegation that as the move being taken by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Omar Hassan Al-Beshir not only targets the Sudanese leader and the Sudan itself but also the entire countries of the region, Eritrea would not accept it and would stand alongside the Sudanese people.

Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie on his part lauded the firm stance of President Isaias, as well as the people and Government of Eritrea in rejecting the ICC issue and the efforts they are exerting towards promoting a comprehensive peace and justice in the Sudan. In this respect, he described such a stance as “correct and courageous.”

Stating that the interference of the International Criminal Court would only aggravate the Sudanese issue in general and that of Darfur in particular rather than bring about solution, Dr. Nafie underlined that the ICC issue would undermine regional peace and prompt neo-colonialism in Africa.

Moreover, the two sides reached understanding on continuing the already launched joint efforts aimed at promoting peace and stability in the Sudan.

Meanwhile, the first official meeting of the Joint Eritrean-Sudanese Committee towards strengthening relations between the two countries has been conducted at the Denden Hall here in Asmara.



In the meeting, an understanding was reached on the speedy launching of development and economic cooperation between Eritrea and Sudan, besides undertaking joint strategic programs. Discussion was also conducted on ways of extending the necessary support so as to provide impetus to the positive steps taken so far taking into consideration that enhanced bilateral ties benefits both countries and the region as a whole.



The high-level Sudanese delegation headed by Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie returned home in the afternoon hours today concluding a one-day working visit.

It is to be recalled that President Isaias received and held talks on February 28 with SPLM delegation headed by Dr. Deng Alor, Sudanese Foreign Minister and Member of the Movement’s Executive Council.