Press Statement

At a time when the sanctions resolution concocted by the obstructionist entity in the region, i.e. the US under the pretext ‘Eritrea is undermining stability in the Horn region’ has already been laid bare, Washington is resorting to smear campaign of lies in a bid to intertwine the discharged ploy on the one hand, and cover up its shameless acts on the other. Stiffening sanctions is one of such latest gimmicks, and the US Administration is engaged in intensive campaign against Eritrea through its subservient regimes so as to assemble a litany of lies.  At a time when the sanctions resolution concocted by the obstructionist entity in the region, i.e. the US under the pretext ‘Eritrea is undermining stability in the Horn region’ has already been laid bare, Washington is resorting to smear campaign of lies in a bid to intertwine the discharged ploy on the one hand, and cover up its shameless acts on the other. Stiffening sanctions is one of such latest gimmicks, and the US Administration is engaged in intensive campaign against Eritrea through its subservient regimes so as to assemble a litany of lies.     

Obviously, the TPLF regime has been chosen to play a subservient role.  As such, Washington as usual is engaged in a new but outdated game through the clique alleging that ‘Eritrea has supplied arms assistance to a certain anti-South Sudan party; though there exists no evidence, the arms supply is nonetheless likely to be from Eritrea.’ However, be it the authors of such defamation or the Sudanese people themselves are well aware of the constructive role that the people and Government of Eritrea played regarding the question of peace in the Sudan. Although it is crystal clear that the intention of the smear campaign is but posing impediments, it is nonetheless imperative to spell out the following political facts for the sake of historical legality and documentation.

The people and Government of Eritrea all along have been supporting the right of the people of South Sudan to self-determination. In line with this standpoint, the Eritrean government has been exerting strenuous endeavors since the beginning of the 90s  on the basis of constructive engagement with a view to establishing a stable, inclusive and united new Sudan in which all nationals enjoy equal rights and where there exists no marginalized section of the society. At critical moments when the interest-driven forces from far and near that are seemingly sympathizing at present with the people of South Sudan had no concern with  the issue whatsoever,  the Eritrean government not only championed, almost alone, the right of the people of South Sudan for  self-determination and the unity of Sudan but also made enabling contribution to this end. In the situation that followed too, it never deviated from its unflinching principled stance.

Although the developments that unfolded later on resulting in the division of Sudan into two are not in tune with Eritrea’s goodwill, the Government of Eritrea  nonetheless respected the choice of the parties concerned.  Also in line with its cherished vision of creating stability in the region, the Eritrean government has been sincerely working with South Sudan on the basis of constructive engagement so that the question of the right to self-determination may attain the ultimate goal.  This firm and principled stance would also continue. Hence, the baseless allegation against Eritrea concerning South Sudan is but a fairytale entertained by disturbed minds.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
25 June 2011
Asmara