Somalia backs UN sanctions on Eritrea

MOGADISHU –The Somali envoy to the United nations security council, Elmi Ahmad Du’ale, has said the sanctions imposed on Eritrea by the Security Council on 23 December were “proof” that the country aided terrorism.

The Security Council on Wednesday imposed sanctions Eritrea over providing military support to Islamist insurgents battling the Somali government.

“The sanctions were based, first and foremost, on proof that Eritrea supports terrorism and extremist groups opposed to the Somali government, which have been the stumbling block to stability in Somalia” Du’ale said in a strong drawl in an interview with Hornafrik local radio in Mogadishu on Thursday.

He said the horn of Africa nation was on the shoulder of the militant groups fighting to topple Somalia’s weak transitional government.

‘’Eritrea supports these groups by providing arms, financial and moral support. Eritrea continues to host Somalia’s rebel hardliners who are opposed to peace in Somalia. These were the conditions which the sanctions was based on” he added.

The Ugandan-drafted text imposes an arms embargo on Eritrea, as well as travel restrictions and asset freezes on the country’s political and military leadership.

“There were resolutions before the current one, the international community led by the Security Council, African Union, United States and Somalia have all warned Eritrea over and over again against destabilizing Somalia however Eritrean leaders ignored international demands. Eritrea even refuses to recognize the Somali government. That was it,” the Somali envoy said.

Djibouti, like Somalia also welcomed the sanction since Eritrean forces occupy parts of Djibouti and refuse to withdraw it’s troops.

Eritrea has repeatedly denied the allegation. “The draft resolution is based on unfounded accusations against Eritrea on the issue of Somalia,” Ambassador Araya Desta said in a letter.

Thirteen of the council’s 15 members voted in favor of Resolution 1907. Veto-wielding China abstained, while Libya, the lone Arab council member and the current African Union chair, voted against that resolution.

Mr Duale, a medical graduate from Sapienza University of Rome became the Permanent Representative of Somalia to the United Nations in 2005.

Somalia has not had a functional government since 1991 and is been mired in chaos ever since.

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