Healthy Relations Based On Mutual Cooperation Needs To Exist Between North And South Sudan: President Isaias

In an interview he conducted with Sudanese television, President Isaias Afwerki said that although the efforts  he exerted over 20 years was for a united Sudan, even now Eritrea would strive to ensure  healthy relations between north and south Sudan based on mutual cooperation.
Asmara, 13 May 2011 – In an interview he conducted with Sudanese television, President Isaias Afwerki said that although the efforts  he exerted over 20 years was for a united Sudan, even now Eritrea would strive to ensure  healthy relations between north and south Sudan based on mutual cooperation.

Noting that Eritrea has been sympathizing with the right of the people of South Sudan to self-determination, he explained that Eritrea’s wish to see the people of South Sudan enjoying full rights and co-exist within a united Sudan was undermined due to erroneous conflict resolution procedures.

President Isaias further stressed the need for pursuing correct initiatives towards promoting mutual cooperation between North and South Sudan, besides ensuring stability and political choice within the South itself. In this connection, he noted the negative consequences of external interference in the internal affairs of Sudan in the  name of friends of IGAD and partners of IGAD. The internationalization of the Darfur issue is also posing another challenge for Sudan, the President added. In this connection, President Isaias called on the Sudanese people to remain vigilant and resolve their problem themselves without external interference.

Indicating that Eritrea is working diligently to promote joint cooperation in the region on priority basis, he underscored that no international organization could play due role at the global level short of regional cooperation and harmony.

Replying to a question regarding the hostility witnessed in Port Sudan town and around Halaib that undermines regional security, the President explained that nations are falling victim to external interference as they are not working jointly through coordinating their resources and capacity. In this respect, he stressed the need for countries along the Red Sea coastline to work jointly for ensuring cooperation and security in the region. President Isaias said that Eritrea is ready to play modest role to this end.