Eritrean president says Sudan problems have complicated by the current regime

ASMARA, Feb 20, 2004 (Sudan Tribune) — The Eritrean President Isayas Afewerki has said that Sudanese problems, both the new and the old ones, especially those concerning southern Sudan and other political problems since independence, have been complicated since this regime came to power.

He indicated, in a statement broadcasted by Sudanese opposition NDA radio, that the agenda of Sudanese regime is to declare war on the Sudanese through a specific ideological war on the people who are of diverse culture and ethnicity. This agenda is aimed at disrupting security and stability in the region, as well as disrupting security internationally.

Relation between the two countries are deteriorated since 1994 when the Eritrean government accused Sudan regime of supporting Islamist rebels in western Eritrea. Since relations between Eritrea and Sudan are tense, with each accusing the other of supporting its rebels. The border between the two has been closed for the scond time since October 2002.

History has proven that this government is in a political crisis internally, regionally and internationally. It is plagued by political problems, the latest of which are the Darfur incidents. All these problems call for apologies or resignations.

Sudanese regime is trying to delay solutions to these problems and to manoeuvre in such a way so that it can continue to remain in power and sustain itself. It is resorting to buying time so as to remain in power without making any contributions that could lead to a comprehensive political solution in Sudan.

Last January Sudan has complained to the U.N. Security Council that Eritrea is arming and training rebels in western Sudan.

President Isayas Afewerki says peace talks through the efforts exerted in Naivasha have reached a level which could achieve success.

However, the outstanding political issues, including the issue of Darfur, are considered problematic, which make the regime, as usual, try and resolve them by the use of force, which has taken the trend of ethnic cleansing and moving people from their territories. He said these were futile attempts.

President Isayas Afewerki said that whatever the circumstance, what should be noted was the awareness of the Sudanese people as a result of the experience they have gained in the 14-year experiment, and the intention, will and determination of the Sudanese people to reach a final and comprehensive political solution, and their efforts towards this.

Regional and international awareness could also help the Sudanese solve this outstanding problem.

Afewerki said no positive progress was apparent yet at the Naivasha peace talks. He however there some serious sensitive issues which have not been solved, among them power-sharing and the issue of the three regions and complicated issues. He said that even if the two sides resolved these problems, the implementation of the agreements during the transition, and the nature of the manoeuvres by this regime, and the lack of credibility, remained major problems.

He said the success of the coming talks was linked to credibility. He believed that there were outstanding complicated issues which were currently not apparent and which were expected to surface at any time. He indicated that the only encouraging thing was that Sudanese political parties and people were aware of these complications. However long it takes plus the Khartoum regime’s attempt to continue pursuing the policy of manoeuvring things and running away from these problems so as to buy time, a time will come when a comprehensive political solution will be realized.

Eritrean President further added: “I would say our policy towards the situation and Khartoum is very clear following five or six obstacles by the regime’s aggression against Eritrea, its people and government, and yet our policy has remained unchanged”.

Afewerki concluded by touching on the Sudanese-Yemeni-Ethiopian alliance, saying that it was not based on a sure foundation and that it lacked a varied vision on regional problems which could contribute positively to resolving them. He said the end of such futile alliances was known.

Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen last December in Addis Ababa signed the Agreement establishing the Sana’a Forum for Cooperation with a view to developing a concrete framework that will further enhance the partnership between the three countries. Eritrean government considers that this alliance has been established in order to topple it.