Leaders from Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen meet on cooperation

ADDIS ABABA, Dec 29, 2003 (dpa) — The presidents of Sudan and Yemen and Ethiopia’s prime minister began two days of meetings in Addis Ababa Monday on trilateral cooperation.

Improving regional security, in particular the fight against terrorism in the Horn of Africa, was expected to be a priority during the two-day meeting.

Ethiopia’s Meles Zenawi, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir, and his Yemeni counterpart Ali Abdallah Saleh met behind closed doors at the National Palace.

The three have been cooperating throughout the year to hunt down suspected al-Qaeda members, an effort that according to the United States government has improved security in the region.

The leaders are also expected to discuss ways to expand political, economic, and social ties.

Controversial issues between them include the unresolved border dispute between Ethiopia and Eritrea, and allegations that Eritrea is supporting opposition forces in Sudan and Ethiopia, an action the two countries say is destabilizing the region.

They also were expected to discuss the Sudanese and Somali peace processes currently underway in Kenya.