Eritrean government demands lifting of UN sanctions
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle September 29, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) –The Eritrea government has once again stepped up the push for lifting of United Nations sanctions imposed on to the nation since 2009. At the ongoing UN General Assembly
By Tesfa-Alem Tekle
September 29, 2015 (ADDIS ABABA) –The Eritrea government has once again stepped up the push for lifting of United Nations sanctions imposed on to the nation since 2009.
At the ongoing UN General Assembly meeting in New York, the Eritrean minister of foreign affairs, Osman Saleh, said the sanctions were politically-motivated, unjust and would have negative implications on the socio-economic welfare of the population.
“The sanctions must be immediately and unconditionally lifted. Once again no nation or people should be left behind”, said Saleh.
The Eritrean foreign minister made the remarks while addressing the UN summit on the adoption of the post-2015 development agendas.
In 2009, the UN Security Council slapped sanctions on Eritrea for supporting al-Qaida allied Islamist militants in Somalia, which continues destabilising the East African region. Asmara, however, denies aiding al-Shabab or any other armed groups and demands for immediate lifting of the sanctions.
The Red Sea nation has repeatedly been appealing to the Security Council to lift the sanctions after a UN monitoring group, in its previous report, revealed that it found no evidence Eritrea was supporting al-Shabab.
The resolution imposed an arms embargo on Eritrea, a travel ban and an asset freezes on Eritrean political and military leaders.
The resolution came after the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) member countries and the African Union requested the Security Council to take action.
Eritrea, however, continued pointing fingers on arch-rival Ethiopia and United States as the countries that allegedly engineered the “unjust sanctions” imposed six years ago.
Saleh has also met with the secretary general of the world body, Ban Ki-moon, during whic the two leaders held discussions on a range of areas, including international and regional peace and security matters as well as on other issues of mutual concern.
During their discussions, the Eritrean foreign minister stressed the need for Ethiopia to withdraw from the town of Badme, a flashpoint town claimed by Eritrea and Ethiopia.
“This would contribute to the enhancement of regional peace and security” he said.
Ethiopia and Eritrea fought a 1998-2000 war over border dispute which killed an estimated 70,000 people and ever since then, their disputes remain unsettled.
An independent UN border commission set up to demarcate the border and their delimitation and demarcation awarded Badme to Eritrea. Eritrea immediately accepted the ruling but Ethiopia demanded for more dialogue before implementing the ruling.
“It is therefore high time for the United Nations and all of us to shoulder our responsibility and urge those countries who don’t respect international law and their treaty obligations to do so”, said Saleh.
“No nation big or small should be allowed to occupy sovereign territory of another state”, he added.
Eritrea, a former province of Ethiopia, won independence from latter in 1991.
(ST)
semere 2 September 30, 2015
Eritrean minister of foreign affairs, Osman Saleh is saying what he was “ordered” to say by the dictator.
We shall not be surprised if he may be the next to defect and ask political Asylum in the US or elsewhere.
Aman September 30, 2015
Poor Osman, I think you should start lifing the sanctions imposed by your master on you and your poor Eritrean people. Be yourself, regain your lost concience if you had one or at least follow Ali Abdu who is suffering from PTSD. There is nothing worst than living in fear. Our people deserve some thing better.
Wedi Mai Abashawul September 30, 2015
Yes I agree with you all. First this dictator must lift the sanctions he has imposed on our people and then he can ask others to lift. By the way the sanctions imposed by the UN is not on the people of Eritrea, rather they are imposed on the dictator and his team.
mikielle September 30, 2015
Mr Osman Saleh,
The UN Sanction is toothless to effectively cripple the evil mafia system you are trying to rehabilitate.
Wait until the Eritrean peoples cry at he Hague is heard and you and the likes of the mafia group will not have a visa to travel anywhere, instead you will be hunted with the blood of our people in your hands.
Eritra September 30, 2015
Another idiot messenger of the dictator.
k.tewolde September 30, 2015
They all sport a nice trimmed mustache though, is that a ‘gang sign’? I recommend a mustache-less Eritrea in the future. I just want to wake up from this endless nightmare.
Hamede ede September 30, 2015
What a clown !!!. You think that the UN will lift your sanctions?. It is sad that you travelled, spent all this money to speak this garbage at the UN podium. WOW, what a brilliant idea that you come up with after 6 long years under sancstions. To tell you frankly, your time and all the shifta pfdj junta is over. Please hand the power to young generation before your regim collapse.
Gezae September 30, 2015
I know you comprehend that the imposing sanction is aimed at punishing the Eritrean regime in the hope of forcing it to comply with international rules and so on; however, as many ordinary Eritreans I see this thing differently. The so known sanction is affecting the entire country, but it is more the ordinary people that bear the brunt and have the least ability to protect from this pressure. So that What is most concerning to me is that it is now increasingly clear that the people are the target. And as a result of these [western] policies, ordinary Eritreans are finding themselves caught up in the sanction mess. Sanction does not help to democratization a country; it is only and only helps the regime to slaves the ordinary citizens.
LIFT THE SANCTION IMMEDIATELY!!!
Yemane September 30, 2015
Dear osmani, the foreign miniteri of tembieni abay. Nothing comes out of garbage but garbage. Just seek asylum in the USA before a tide throws u to askarico. U know where askarico is, do not u.
k.tewolde October 1, 2015
I remember ascarico, ENDA GUAHAFF.I used to go there to pick up old cherkio to play enklil as a kid. Good ol days.
Asmelash Mokonnen September 30, 2015
It realy shame for you Mr.Minister.ask your self first what you and your PIA is dowing on our inocent Eritren people,before you ask UN Inbehalf of our people.