President Isaias reiterates Eritrea’s unflinching stance as regards Sudanese unity

President Isaias Afwerki today received and held talks with a Sudanese delegation headed by Mr. Mussa Mohammed Ahmed, Assistant to the Sudanese President and Chairman of the East Sudan Front.  President Isaias asserted that Eritrea in principle supports the unity of Sudan, and underscored that all Sudanese forces should work jointly for the realization of such an objective.

Asmara, 17 August 2010 – President Isaias Afwerki today received and held talks with a Sudanese delegation headed by Mr. Mussa Mohammed Ahmed, Assistant to the Sudanese President and Chairman of the East Sudan Front.  President Isaias asserted that Eritrea in principle supports the unity of Sudan, and underscored that all Sudanese forces should work jointly for the realization of such an objective.

The meeting mainly focused on the East Sudan issue and Eritrea’s relations with Sudan, as well as the issue of Sudanese unity and the South Sudan Referendum scheduled to take place in January 2011. In this respect, the President called on all Sudanese political forces to work diligently in a manner that guarantees peace and stability in the country in view of the fact that the forthcoming phases would be decisive in Sudanese political developments.

Mr. Mussa Mohammed Ahmed told ERINA following the talks that he delivered a message from Sudanese President Omar Hassan Al-Beshir to President Isaias focusing on the development of bilateral relations, especially the newly constructed Tessenei-Kassala road which would be inaugurated next September and that is expected to reinforce the economic benefits of both countries. He further stated that in the meeting with President Isaias, discussion was conducted on the Sudanese peace process in general and the issues of Darfur and South Sudan in particular. In this connection, the Sudanese Presidential Assistant affirmed that Eritrea’s clear and unflinching stance as regards the issue of peace and unity in Sudan is of vital significance.

Moreover, the two sides exchanged views on ways of making investment along the common border and reached understanding on taking practical steps in the implementation of development projects.

Likewise, Mr. Salah Mohammed Al-Hassan, Member of the East Sudan regional Assembly, said that the meeting symbolizes the existing solid ties between Eritrea and Sudan. He went on to say that he was able to understand that at a time in which Sudan finds itself in critical and decisive stage, Eritrea is striving to guarantee Sudanese unity.