Doha

DOHA, Feb 24 (SUNA) — The Grand Hall of the Sheraton Hotel in Doha on Tuesday evening was thevenue for the signing of the framework agreement for a ceasefire in Dafur in western Sudan between the government of Sudan and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM).

The signing took place amidst a high-level regional and international presence led by the President of Sudan, Omar Al Bashir, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al Thani, President Idress Debby of Chad, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea and Dr Khalil Ibrahim, the JEM Chairman.

It was also attended by Djibril Bassoule, the joint mediator for Dafur, and Professor Ibrahim Gambari, the Joint Special Representative of the African Union (AU) and the United Nations to UNAMID, and representatives of the permanent members of the UN Security Council, and other countries as well as representatives of the Arab League and the AU.

Dr Amin Hassan Omar signed on behalf of the government of the Sudan while Ahmad Tagad signed for the JEM, a rebel group involved in the Dafur conflict. The two sides shook hands and exchanged documents following the signing of the framework agreement.

The framework agreement is considered the first step towards the achievement of comprehensive and lasting peace in Darfur and it was well received by the international and regional communities as well as international organizations and relevant bodies concerned with peace in the region.

The Qatari government, its people and leadership played an important role, as mediator in the peace talks, a role highly appreciated by all concerned parties to the deal, with all parties nodding to the wise intelligent and informed role they played in the negotiations.

Chad’s President Idress Debby equally played an important role through his hosting of the initial signing and also showed the transformation in the Sudanese-Chadian relationship.

The government delegation to the event included a number of senior officials, representatives of the parties to Sudan’s government of national unity, civil society representatives, leaders from Darfur and members of the Sudan People’s Forum.

On the side of Justice and Equality Movement, those who attended the ceremony included the senior leaders of the movement who flew to Doha for the event.

The JEM declared a cease-fire as of the midnight of Tuesday as part of the implementation of the framework agreement.

JEM Chairman Dr. Khalil Ibrahim said at the signing ceremony that the agreement wais a step forward in the peace process and paved the way for negotiations for realizing peace in Darfur.

He added that the JEM was committed to the implementation of all items of the agreement, stating that the path for peace still needed great efforts, and that both parties should be ready to make concessions so that comprehensive peace in Darfur could be achieved.

Dr. Ibrahim called on the armed groups to establish a unity and partnership among them for the interest of the people and the homeland, a partnership of no loser or winner.

He called on the Emir of Qatar to sponsor the implementation of the agreement, expressing his appreciation of the great efforts being exerted by Qatar and its leader, Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Hamad Al-Thani.

He also thanked the Emir of Qatar for his generous donation for the rehabilitation and development in Darfur.

Dr. Khalil Ibrahim also praised the role being played by Chad, Libya, the Arab League, the African Union and the joint mediation team, led by Qatar, for realizing peace in Darfur.

Djibril Bassole welcomed the framework agreement and described it as a positive step for the comprehensive solution for Darfur issue. He appreciated the efforts exerted by all parties for the signing of the agreement by the government and the JEM.

Bassole said that the agreement paves the way for beginning the negotiations in Doha for realization of comprehensive peace in Darfur.

AU Commission Chairman Jean Ping reiterated the commitment of the African Union to help Sudan and all parties to implement all clauses of the framework agreement to bolster peace and development all over Sudan.

Ping, who described the agreement as a landmark step in peace process and a real addition to the accomplishments in this regard, urged parties in the agreement to be committed to the implementation of all clauses of the agreement.

This accomplishment would be added to the accomplishments of Africa and assured the capability of the African people to overcome their differences without foreign intervention, he added.

President Deby affirmed the commitment of Chad to co-operate with the concerned parties to boost the implementation all the items of the agreement and said that Chad would work out a plan to guarantee implementation of the agreement.

He said Chad would exert efforts toward making all the Darfurian movements and Sudan’s government sign similar agreements. He said the role of Chad was a duty that was necessitated by the fact that Chad and Sudan are neighbours.

He referred to the suffering of Chad and Sudan from the armed movements and the clashes at the joint border area, adding that there would be no return to that past.

Asmara, 2 January 2010 – Shabait – In continuation of the interview he conducted with national media outlets tonight on the occasion of the New Year, President Isaias Afwerki underlined that the shameful and misguided illegal sanctions resolution against Eritrea is a manifestation of failed adventurous policies designed to victimize the nation.

The President explained that although the TPLF regime may perhaps has something to do with the sanctions, the whole affair is not basically the handwork of the regime. Stating that the TPLF clique, as a servant entity, may have contributed something to that in order to promote its narrow interests, he pointed out that the sanctions resolution has undoubtedly been masterminded by the CIA. This is mainly aimed at creating a crisis situation in Africa and expose its people to animosity among one another, and thus plunder the resources of the continent, besides imposing one’s narrow interests, President Isaias added.

Despite the fact that the United States is the main culprit behind the shameful and unjust resolution emanating from a disturbed mind, Uganda was, nonetheless, chosen as a sponsoring party so as to give the false impression that Africa has a hand in it, the President elaborated.

He went on to say that the policy of hegemony in the Horn of Africa unfolded by end of the Cold War at the time Eritrea achieved independence, Somalia was engulfed in turmoil, Sudan entered into a new political stage and Ethiopia in particular experienced new situation. In this respect, President Isaias underscored that US intelligence agencies were the main instigator of the Eritrean-Ethiopian conflict.

Citing that the baseless sanctions resolution against Eritrea was adopted under the pretext that it extends financial and arms support to ‘extremists’ and non-recognition of the externally imposed transitional government in Somalia, the President explained that such allegations have no substance at all. In this connection, he elucidated that Eritrea does not interfere in the internal affairs of Somalia and that it advocates the existence of a united and sovereign Somali nation. Still, Eritrea has the right to extend political and moral support to the Somali people, the President emphasized.

As regards the Eritrean-Djiboutian issue, President Isaias pointed out that it is a fabricated ploy designed to undermine peace in the region through concocting a non-existing conflict. In this regard, he noted that although the issue could have been resolved on the basis of mutual understanding and even arbitration, the authors as usual sought to exaggerate matters so as to blackmail Eritrea.

The President explained in detail the numerous acts of conspiracy weaved on the part of enemy quarters over the past 11 to 12 years with a view to impeding economic, development and investment programs, as well as achieving food security, putting in place infrastructure facilities and foreign investment.

Moreover, he outlined the various ploys employed through deploying mercenary agents to block the flow of foreign currency into the country in a bid to undermine national security and isolating the country through forming alliances with a number of countries, among others. In this connection, President Isaias commended the Eritrean people’s unmatched steadfastness in rebuffing such obstacles.

Indicating that the attempts made by the CIA to isolate Eritrean nationals from their people and leadership through various ploys in a bid to serve as an opposition force have ended in utter failure, the President underscored the fact that Eritrean nationals, including those who crossed the border illegally continued to uphold unwavering attachment to the Homeland has ever more frustrated and anguished such enemy quarters.

Noting that the Eritrean people have been challenging and putting forth views prior to the adoption of the sanctions resolutions without waiting for directives, President Isaias pointed out that the sanctions move is in its early stage, and that the Eritrean people inside the country and abroad remain resolute as ever to meet challenges.

Sudan-Eritrea

News Agencies NNN-SUNA report that President Omer Al-Bashir of Sudan and the visiting Eritrean President, Isaias Afwerki, Monday held talks here on a number of issues of mutual concern to the two countries.

The two presidents reviewed means of consolidating relations between Sudan and Eritrea and gave directives for strengthening the co-operation between the Sudanese Red Sea State and Eritrea’s Northern Red Sea Region.

They also gave directives for completing the establishment of the road between Massawa and port-Sudan, giving concern to the establishment of tourism projects and benefiting from the large resources and capabilities at the Red Sea coastal area.

President Al-Bashir briefed the Eritrean president on the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), the registration for the coming elections and the efforts for a solution of Darfur issue.

Presidents Al-Bashir and Afwerki also reviewed the regional and international issues, especially with regard to the situation in the Horn of Africa sub-region.

On Sunday Sudanese News Agencies reported that President Omer Al-Bashir is going to inaugurate on Monday the Industrial Town and the Strategic Reserve Silos in Port Sudan and that President Isaias Afwerki will attend when President Omer Al-Bashir is intending to plant two palm trees to mark the National Tree Festival and address a mass rally at Al-Bayya Square.

In addition the reports stated that President Omer Al-Bashir will attend a sea carival and show and inaugurate the Third Tourism and Marketing Festival of the Red Sea State.

President in Sudan

Eritrean Ministry of Information site Shabait reports that President Isaias Afwerki is currently conducting a working visit in the Sudanese Red Sea Zone and was today accorded warm welcome by the inhabitants of the Zone.

Speaking at celebrations held in the port city of Port Sudan in which Sudanese President Omar Hassen Al-Beshir and various other officials took part, President Isaias recalled that the Sudanese Red Sea Zone used to sever as a strategic safe haven of the Eritrean people’s struggle for liberation. He further expressed appreciation on his own behalf and that of the people and Government of Eritrea to the Sudanese people in general and the East Sudan region in particular.

Indicating that the current visit is a continuation of the historical and strategic relations and cooperation between the two peoples, the President asserted the readiness of both sides to enhance bilateral cooperation through implementing common projects in the domains of trade, investment, transport and others.

Likewise, President Omar Hassen Al-Beshir said that the Eritrean-Sudanese relations is deep, as well as people-based and historical, and the fact that the Sudanese people stood alongside the Eritrean people emanated from this principled conviction.

Recalling the endeavors made through Eritrea’s mediation and the personal initiative of President Isaias to achieve a peaceful solution to the East Sudan region’s issue,   President Al-Beshir explained that not only peace and security prevails in the East Sudan borders at present but the region is also marching towards development thanks to such dedicated endeavors.

President Isaias left for Sudan in the morning hours today at the invitation of President Omar Hassen Al-Beshir. During his stay in Sudan, the President would hold talks with his Sudanese counterpart on bilateral relations, besides observing the implementation of development programs in East Sudan.

September 15 2009 (ASMARA) – Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki declared yesterday his support to southern Sudan rights and aspirations.

Sudanese First Vice President and President of Southern Sudan government paid a two day visit to Asmara where he had been arrived yesterday for talks with President Afwerki. The two leaders agreed to enhance bilateral relations between Eritrea and southern Sudan. Kiir returned today to Juba.

Following their meeting on Monday the Eritrean President “asserted the Eritrean government’s firm and enduring pledge towards ensuring the rights and aspirations of the people of South Sudan,” the official Shabait website reported.

Kiir’s visit to Asmara, in response to an invitation extended by the President Afwerki came months after unprecedented attack on the SPLM by the Eritrean leader who had accused the southern Sudan ruling part of corruption.

In his last May statements Afwerki also demanded the SPLM to declare a clear view on the future of Sudan.

According to the Eritrean information ministry website, President Isaias “pointed out that at the present delicate juncture in which the Sudan finds itself, the SPLM under the leadership of Mr. Salva Kiir Mayardit is expected to play a leading role.”

During the past years, Asmara which had bad relations with Khartoum supported the SPLM and the rest of the Sudanese opposition groups who had their headquarters in the Eritrean capital.

“Eritrea is one of the close friends of the people of South Sudan” said Salva Kiir who reaffirmed the SPLM’s willingness to boost relations with Eritrea, particularly in exchanging views on developments in the Sudan and enhancing mutual cooperation.

Kiir also discussed with Afwerki political developments in southern Sudan and expressed SPLM’s stance on Sudanese issues including Darfur conflict.

Further SPLM delegation headed by deputy chairman, Malik Agar held a meeting with an Eritrean delegation led Yemane Gebreab, head of Political Affairs at the Eritrean ruling part PFDJ where they agreed to strengthen relations between the PFDJ and the SPLM, as well as the ties between the two governments.

The two parties also discussed the CPA implementation and the ongoing discussion between the two peace partners over the border demarcation, elections and referendum bill.

President Afwerki also accepted an invitation extended by GOSS President Salva Kiir to visit southern Sudan. (SudanTribune)

SANA’A, Sep.10 – Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is to visit Yemen after by the end of September in which he will hold talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Well-informed sources said that the talks will deal with issues related to bilateral cooperation relations between the two countries and ways to deepen and strengthen them.

The two sides will stress on the importance of forming an executive committee in order to discuss several projects submitted by the two countries as well as activating the partnership between Yemen and Eritrea, particularly in the fishing field.

The two leaders also will review the latest developments in the Horn Africa, particularly in Somalia. Source: (Sabanews)