afrol News, 6 July - The African Union leadership has pleaded with the United Nations to slap Eritrea with sanctions for allegedly backing Islamist insurgency seeking to overthrow the fragile Somali Transitional Government.

A statement released by the AU summit in Libya appealed to the United Nations Security Council to impose sanctions on all outside actors including Eritrea, which provide support to armed groups in the war torn Somalia.

Further the summit requested the UN Security Council to impose a sea blockade and no-fly zone to stop weapons and other supplies reaching the Somali Islamists.

The Inter-Governmental Authority for Development (IGAD) meeting held in Addis Ababa last month said the intervention of Eritrea in Somalia was adding fuel to the conflict in that country.

The meeting said Eritrea is playing role in support of the terrorist groups by providing various assistance, including trainings and infiltrating terrorists to the region.

However, Eritrea has always denied providing weapons and training to the rebels but admitted political support to Somalia.

In late June, Eritrea slammed the US government for providing weapons to the Somalia government saying the US intervention in Somalia has failed to bring stability in the Horn of Africa state.

Eritrea has been a menace in the Horn of Africa having been involved in two serious conflicts on border demarcation with its neighbours.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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