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==African Union== |
==African Union== |
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The African Union has called for sanctions on Eritrea, accusing the country of supporting insurgents in [[Somalia]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8064939.stm AU calls for sanctions on Eritrea], BBC News Online, May 23, 2009</ref> |
The African Union has called for sanctions on Eritrea, accusing the country of supporting insurgents in [[Somalia]].<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/8064939.stm AU calls for sanctions on Eritrea], BBC News Online, May 23, 2009</ref> |
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But, Eritrea has rejected all the accusations saying that it doesn't support the insurgents in Somalia and that there is no evidence to support the accusations. |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 16:32, 8 December 2011
Constitution (not enforced) |
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Elections |
Eritrea portal |
Eritrea is a member of the African Union (AU), the successor of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) and is an observing member of the Arab League. But it has withdrawn its representative to the AU in protest of what they clame is the AU's lack of leadership in the implementation of the demarcation the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Eritrea's relationship with the United States is complicated. Although the two nations have a close working relationship regarding the on-going war on terror, there has been a growing tension in other areas. Eritrea's relationship with Italy and the EU has become equally strained in many areas in the last three years. Eritrea also has very tense relations with all of its neighbors: Sudan, Ethiopia, Yemen, Somalia and Djibouti. In 2007 Ethiopia expelled seven Norwegian diplomats. Ethiopian Foreign Minister Seyoum Mesfin told the Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten: "The soldiers in Eritrea are financed in full by Norway. By supporting those who destroy peace processes in our neighbouring countries, Norway undermines the Ethiopian government’s peace work."[1]
Sudan
Eritrea broke diplomatic relations with the Sudan in December 1994. This action was taken after a long period of increasing tension between the two countries due to a series of cross-border incidents involving the Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ). Although the attacks did not pose a threat to the stability of the Government of Eritrea (the infiltrators have generally been killed or captured by government forces), the Eritreans believe the National Islamic Front (NIF) in Khartoum supported, trained, and armed the insurgents. After many months of negotiations with the Sudanese to try to end the incursions, the Government of Eritrea concluded that the NIF did not intend to change its policy and broke relations. Subsequently, the Government of Eritrea hosted a conference of Sudanese opposition leaders in June 1995 in an effort to help the opposition unite and to provide a credible alternative to the present government in Khartoum. Eritrea resumed diplomatic relations with Sudan on December 10, 2005.[2] Since then, Sudan has accused Eritrea, along with Chad, of supporting rebels.[3]
The undemarcated border with Sudan poses a problem for Eritrean external relations.[4] After a high-level delegation to the Sudan from the Eritrean Ministry of Foreign Affairs ties are being normalized. While normalization of ties continues, Eritrea has been recognized as a broker for peace between the separate factions of the Sudanese civil war. "It is known that Eritrea played a role in bringing about the peace agreement [between the Southern Sudanese and Government],"[5] while the Sudanese Government and Eastern Front rebels have requested Eritrea to mediate peace talks.[6]
Yemen
A dispute with Yemen over the Hanish Islands in 1996 resulted in a brief war. As part of an agreement to cease hostilities, the nations agreed to refer the issue to the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague. At the conclusion of the proceedings, both nations acquiesced to the 1998 decision which said sovereignty should be shared.[7]
Ethiopia
The undemarcated border with Ethiopia is the primary external issue facing Eritrea. This led to a long and bloody border war between 1998 and 2000 over a dusty border town called Badme. A cessation of hostilities was signed in Algeria in June 2000 by both the countries; and to monitor this agreement the UN Scurity Council established the UNMEE (United Nations Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea) in Sept. 2000. However, disappointed that the ruling of the International Border Commission that awarded Eritrea the disputed Badme was not implemented, Eritrea expressed its displeasure at having the UNMEE on its soil. Hence, in July 2008, the UNSC terminated the mandate of the UNMEE.
| title = Q&A: Horn's bitter border war | publisher = BBC | date = 2005-12-07 | accessdate = 2006-06-07
| location=London}}</ref> | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3457957.stm
| publisher = BBC | date = 2004-02-04 | accessdate = 2006-06-07
| location=London}}</ref>[8][9]
[10] In December 2000 Ethiopia and Eritrea signed the Algiers Agreement, in which they agreed on a common border, drawn up by an independent commission in The Hague under the auspices of the United Nations. In April 2002 the EEBC disclosed its proceedings on the matter by giving key town of Bademe to Eritrea the thing which Ethiopia failed to accept.
Central to the continuation of the stalemate is Ethiopia's failure to abide by the border delimitation ruling and reneging on its commitment to demarcation. The stalemate has led the President of Eritrea to urge the UN to take action on Ethiopia. This request is outlined in the Eleven Letters penned by the President to the United Nations Security Council. The situation is further escalated by the continued effort of the Eritrean and Ethiopian leaders in supporting each other's opposition.
Israel
Eritrea developed relations with Israel shortly after gaining its independence in 1993, despite protests among Arab countries. Israeli-Eritrean relations are close. The president of Eritrea has visited Israel for medical treatment.[11] However, Eritrea condemned Israeli military action during the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza conflict.[12] Israeli-Eritrean ties are complicated by Israel's close ties to Ethiopia, who have shared an unfriendly dyad with Eritrea for a long time.
African Union
The African Union has called for sanctions on Eritrea, accusing the country of supporting insurgents in Somalia.[13] But, Eritrea has rejected all the accusations saying that it doesn't support the insurgents in Somalia and that there is no evidence to support the accusations.
See also
- Eritrean diplomatic missions
- Eritrea-Arab League relations
- Eritrea-United States relations
- Denmark–Eritrea relations
References
- ^ Solberg, Kristen (12 September 2007). "Ethiopia: Norway supports 'terrorists' in Africa". Aftenposten. Retrieved 22 February 2011.
- ^ "Sudan, Eritrea resume severed diplomatic relations". Retrieved 2006-09-04.
- ^ Eritrea, Chad accused of aiding Sudan rebels, afrol News, September 7. Retrieved 2009-03-15
- ^ "Eritrea-Sudan relations plummet". London: BBC. 2004-01-15. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Turabi terms USA "world's ignoramuses", fears Sudan's partition". Sudan Tribune. 2005-11-04. Archived from the original on 2006-07-18. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Sudan demands Eritrean mediation with eastern Sudan rebels". Sudan Tribune. 2006-04-18. Archived from the original on 2006-05-19. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Flights back on between Yemen and Eritrea". London: BBC. 1998-12-13. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Army build-up near Horn frontier". London: BBC. 2005-11-02. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Horn border tense before deadline". London: BBC. 2005-12-23. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Eritrea Accuses Ethiopia of Border Attacks". VOA News. Voice of America. 27 December 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-27.
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- ^ AU calls for sanctions on Eritrea, BBC News Online, May 23, 2009