Eritrea continues to destabilise region, says Ethiopia

September 27, 2013 (ADDIS ABABA) – Ethiopia on Friday accused arch-rival Eritrea of continuing to destabilise the East African region by supporting armed groups and terrorists organisations such as Al-Qaida allied Al-Shabaab.

Ethiopia said that President Isaias Afeworki’s government, was still determined to destabilise the volatile east African region indicating the UN Monitoring Group’s report.

Addis Ababa argued that Eritrea continues to play a negative role in the region due to the lack of pressure in the implementation of sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council against the Red Sea nation.

Ethiopia underscored a need for the international community to press Eritrea implement the sanctions.

Eritrea, which proclaimed independence from Ethiopia in 1993, has repeatedly been accused of arming and providing financial and logistical support to Somalia’s Al-Shabaab militants to destabilise region.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian foreign minister Tedros Adhanom has met with his Danish counterpart Villy Sovndal on the current situations in East Africa.

According to Ethiopia’s foreign ministry spokesperson’s office, Adhanom briefed Sovndal on the recent developments in Somalia, the two Sudans, Egypt and Eritrea.

“He expressed Ethiopia’s keen interest to see peace and stability in Egypt and between the Sudan and South Sudan” said the ministry spokesperson.

The Ethiopian minister also noted the benefits Sudan and Egypt would get from the controversial Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, which Ethiopia is building along the Blue Nile River.

Denmark’s foreign minister to his side lauded the role Ethiopia is playing to ensure sustainable peace and security across the region.

He reiterated his country’s commitment to extend all the necessary support to the efforts of maintaining regional peace and security.

(ST)