Sudan is targeted by foreign powers – Eritrea’s Afwerki
April 24, 2008 (ASMARA) — The Eritrean President blamed the international interference in the neighbouring Sudan; urging Sudanese to resolve their problems themselves without giving room to “external meddlers.”
Speaking in an interview with the Eritrean TV, Isaias Afwerki said Sudan’s internal conflicts are complicated by foreign powers. He further added that ” Sudan has become a target, though one cannot say some Sudanese forces are still unaware of the conspiracy.”
Afwerki who was a supporter for the different Sudanese opposition parties in the nineties gradually normalized ties with Sudan, particularly following the signing o f the Comprehensive Peace Agreement between the NCP government in Khartoum and Eritrea’s former ally, the SPLM.
Eritrea which sponsored a peace deal between the East Front last year tries to undertake mediation between Sudan and Chad to ease the current tension between the two countries.
The Eritrean president accused the US Administration of complicating the row between Khartoum and Ndjamena.
“One cannot deny that the problem between Chad and Sudan goes beyond the borders of both countries. The developments within Chad and the external interferences there, particularly that of the US Administration and its partners have complicated matters.” He said.
Sudan and Chad trade accusations over support to their respective rebel groups. Last March Sudan and Chad signed a non-aggression deal; Eritrea is one of the five members committee in charge with the implementation of Darkar Agreement.
Afewerki said the “external interference” obstructs efforts to defuse tension between the two capitals and prevents the resolution of Darfur crisis.
He goes further to say that the 26000 hybrid peacekeeping force in Darfur “complicated the Darfur issue, Sudanese-Chadian relations further deteriorated.”
The Eritrean president believes that Chad and Sudan should work together to find a solution for Darfur crisis.
On April 9, Sudanese president paid a one day visit to Asmara where he asked his Eritrean counterpart to exert efforts to mend relations with Chad.
(ST)