- Eritrean authorities have responded strongly to US officials statements labelling the country as a state sponsor of terrorism.
A statement from Asmara yesterday denounced what it called 'efforts exerted by some US official in the outgoing administration' to declare Eritrea as state sponsor of terrorism.
The Eritrean foreign ministry accused some US officials of "making a last-ditch attempt to tie beforehand the hands of the incoming administration in the strategic Horn of Africa region," further saying such efforts had failed in the past, and further hoping the new administration of President-elect Barrack Obama would see the need to restore US-Eritrea relations.
US officials had in the past accused Eritrea of supporting al-Qaeda activities in Somalia, further saying there was enough evidence to prove such.
On the other hand, Eritrea had accused the Bush administration of supporting and favouring neighbours Ethiopia on their protracted border conflicts.
Last month Eritrea blamed Washington's policy for being the root cause behind piracy off the Somali coast, adding that breakaway Somaliland and Puntland must return to Somalia to create a forceful unit.
Asmara further alleged it was the US government that stands behind the political split currently experienced in Somalia. "The main cause of this problem is the vacuum that has been created for the last 17 years in Somalia," the government statement said. "Sadly, an enduring solution is not conceivable until the reckless acts of the US and its surrogates aimed at balkanising Somalia, dividing its people along ethnic and clan lines ... cease," it added.
However in a recent message to congratulate newly elected US president, Eritrean president conveyed "ardent hope that US policy in our region will indeed change under your Excellency’s presidency to pursue a constructive path to advance the causes of regional peace, justice and legality."
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
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