Opposition NDA leader strives to reconcile Sudan with Eritrea

KHARTOUM, Oct 3, 2004 (Al-Ray al-Amm) — The chairman of opposition National Democratic Alliance (NDA), Mr Mohamed Osman al-Mirghani, arrived in the Eritrean capital, Asmara, on Thursday 30 October, on a visit aimed at pursuing efforts for improving relations between Sudan and Eritrea so as to overcome tension between the two countries.

Sources are very close to Al-Mirghani, said the chairman of NDA was keen on normalizing relations between Sudan and Eritrea in particular, and the rest of the neighbouring countries in general, due to his belief that vital mutual interests linking the two nations call for an end to tensions in these relations.

Sources from government indicated that Khartoum was not against normalizing relations with Eritrea and knows well mutual interests linking the two countries. However, Eritrean stances in the past period hindered improvement of bilateral relations between the two countries.

Mr Al-Mirghani met on Friday,1 October, the Eritrean president, Isayas Afewerki, and discussed peace process in Sudan. During the meeting, Al-Mirghani called on international quarters concerned with the Sudanese problem to stand by the Sudanese people for the sake of Sudan’s unity and stability.

Afewerki reiterated his country’s support for peace. He commended NDA’s stand which aims at realizing a comprehensive peaceful solution.

Material from the BBC Monitoring Service