Sudan Air resumes flights to Eritrea after 13 years

May 24, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — After a hiatus of more than 13 years, Sudanese air launched today the first flight to the Eritrean capital Asmara from the airport, of Kassala.

As it was previously announced, a plane of the Sudan’s national carrier, Sudan Air, left the capital of Kassala state, eastern Sudan to Asmara transporting an official delegation to participate to Asmara.

The Sudanese delegation will participate in the celebration of the 18th anniversary of the Independence Day taking place there.

The return of Sudan Air to Asmara, is the latest step in the process of normalization between the two countries who had tense relations in the past.

In 2002, Eritrea and Sudan withdrew their ambassadors and closed the border, after trading accusations of supporting respective opposition groups.

But after the January 2005 signing of a peace agreement to end Sudan’s north-south civil war, the two nations have warmed to each other with Eritrea playing a lead role in ending the conflict in east Sudan in October 2006.

Sudan now tries to develop balanced relations with Asmara and its arch foe Ethiopia who fought a 1998-2000 border war that claimed some 80000 lives.

(ST)