Sudan calls on U.N. to take action against Eritrea

KHARTOUM, Jan 05, 2004 (dpa) — Sudan called on the United Nations Security Council Monday to take tough measures against Eritrea to prevent it from destabilizing the security of western Sudan and the Horn of Africa region.

In a letter to U.N. Secretary General Kofi Anan and the Security Council, Sudanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Mustafa Osman Ismail demanded that Eritrea immediately stop its “abusive attitude” towards the government in Darfur.

He gave a press conference Monday but did not detail the measures he wished the Security Council to take.

Instead he said Sudan had obtained concrete evidence that its Eastern neighbour was extending military support to rebel groups.

Eritrea rejects the allegations. However Eritrea is hosting Sudanese opposition group of National Democratic Alliance (NDA) a strong opposition front waging military operations against Sudan.

Last December, leaders of Sudan, Ethiopia and Yemen also criticized their neighbour for working to destabilise the entire region.