During his stay, the President would take part in the signing ceremony between Doha, the Sudanese government and the Movement for Freedom and Justice of Darfur. On arrival at Doha International Airport, President Isaias was welcomed by the Qatari Minister of Social Affairs, Mr. Nasser Bin Abdalla Al-Himedin, and the Eritrean Ambassador to Qatar, Mr. Ali Ibrahim.

Asmara, (Shabait) 3 May 2010- President Isaias Afwerki left today for Qatar and Egypt on a working visit at the invitation of Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Emir of Qatar, and President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt.

In the course of the visit, the President would hold talks with the leaders of the two countries on enhancing bilateral relations and regional, as well as international issues of mutual interest.

President Isaias was accorded warm welcome on arrival in Doha at noon.

Later on, he met and held talks with the Crown Prince Sheikh Temim Bin-Hamad Al-Thani and other senior Qatari government officials.

In the meeting, the President exchanged views on Eritrean-Qatari relations, economic cooperation based on partnership and regional as well as international issues of mutual interest.

President Yar’Adua

Nigeria is very important to the region, the continent, and to the United States, yet it remains unsettled as a result of President Yar’Adua’s uncertain medical condition.

Since his return home from Saudi Arabia, President Yar’Adua has not been seen publicly or met with members of his cabinet or any of his country’s key political leaders, generating additional unease about the stability of the country and physical capacity of the president to lead the government.

In a modern democracy, senior cabinet members and legislative leaders have a right to know the health status of their president and so do Nigeria’s citizens.

In President Yar’Adua’s absence, we applaud the Nigerian leaders who have taken steps to restore confidence in the country’s political system while adhering to democratic principles.

We welcome Acting President Jonathan’s commitments on electoral reform, anti-corruption, post-Amnesty programs in the Niger Delta, and justice for the perpetrators of sectarian violence and extra-judicial killings.

As Nigeria deals with its current political crisis, it is essential for the country’s leaders to avoid any actions that will imperil Nigeria’s last ten years of democratic progress as well as the accomplishments that have been achieved under civilian rule.

Nigerians have a right to expect their civilian and military leaders to work through their country’s democratic institutions, ensuring that the good of the many triumphs over the ambitions of the few. Source: (U.S. Department of State)

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.