President Isaias Afwerki met and held talks with UN Special Envoy to Horn of Africa
Asmara, 12 November 2025 – President Isaias Afwerki met, in the late afternoon hours today at the Denden Guest House, Mr. Guang Cong, the new UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa.
In the extensive discussions which focused on developments in the Horn of Africa, President Isaias noted that UN role and track-record in the resolution of conflicts in the region has not been effective and will require a new approach.
In this respect, President Isaias underlined that mere deployment of Peace-Keeping forces without rigorous accountability modalities and holistic underlying frameworks could not indeed bear the desired results. But the blame cannot be attributed to the UN as the problem essentially stems from the prevailing flawed international order, President Isaias stressed.
President Isaias also referred to the shortcomings of regional organizations whose efficacy have been compromised – despite the lofty objectives enshrined in their mandates – due to unwarranted external interventions. In most cases, the regional organizations have become vehicles for external agendas.
On the situation in Sudan, President Isaias emphasized the historical ties and partnership that bind together the two countries. In this spirit, Eritrea had submitted, in 2022, a concept paper on the establishment of a popular governance structure based on citizenship in its sincere efforts for a modest contribution for the restoration of peace and stability in Sudan. But the initiative could not make much headway due to external interventions which have only exacerbated the conflict.
In a brief statement to the Eritrean News Agency, the UN Special Envoy stated that his visit to Eritrea is part and parcel of his engagement in the region. Mr. Guang Cong further expressed his satisfaction in the fruitful discussions that he held with President Isaias Afwerki; paid tribute to Eritrea’s contributions in the resolution of conflicts in the region; and affirmed his full readiness to work with Eritrea for the promotion of regional peace and stability.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Osman SALEH, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Ms. Nahla Valji, UN Resident Coordinator in Eritrea.
Mr. Guang Cong was appointed as UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa in July 2025.