(August 27, 2011, Addis Ababa, Reporter)--The deputy ambassador of the Eritrean mission caused havoc last week at a meeting of the Inter Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) after refusing to leave the meeting although having been assured he was not welcome and asked repeatedly by hotel security staff to withdraw from the session.
Last Thursday, the six-state regional bloc, IGAD ran their fortieth, and most extraordinary meeting. Binyam Berhe, the aforementioned unwelcome Eritrean official, managed to bypass security, entering the session room at the Sheraton Addis. He proceeded to cause havoc and delayed the meeting by thirty minutes.
The Reporter witnessed that the Eritrean representative rejected the request by officials to leave the room with claims that his country is “already a member of IGAD.” The IGAD secretary confirmed to the diplomat that his country was not invited to the meeting.
Ethiopian officials present at the meeting included ambassador Berhane Gebre Kiristos, the minister for foreign affairs and IGAD’s executive secretary Mahboub M. Maalim. All officials politely requested him to leave the session room explaining his country’s request of application to rejoin the bloc has not yet been decided.
The problem was eventually solved by the IGAD ministers and guests including the AUC Chair Person, Dr. Jean Ping, leaving the session for a short while. The Eritrean diplomat, was then isolated and escorted out of the room by the Sheraton Addis officials.
After the interruption, the IGAD session continued. Mahaboub M. Maalim welcomed the ministers requested pardon for the disturbance, saying “It is really embarrassing for me and for him (The Eritrean diplomat). The Eritrean officials are abusing my letter of welcoming their request to rejoin the block. In my reaction letter, I expressly explained them it is a welcome move but the decision is up to the head of states summit of IGAD.”
After discussions on issues of famine and humanitarian action in the Horn and particularly in the current political situation in Somalia, IGAD ministers urged in their communiqué, that it’s “rules and procedures be followed in the conduct of its business”, and further underscored that “The application of Eritrea for re admission to IGAD should follow appropriate procedures.”
Ambassador Berhane Gebre Kiristos, minister of foreign affairs of Ethiopia, denounced the current move by the Eritrean government, including the diplomat’s attempt to obstruct the IGAD session, saying that “the whole intent of the Eritrean government’s recent moves is not building relationship based on mutual interest […] nor it is an indication of changed behavior.”
Ethiopian officials present at the meeting included ambassador Berhane Gebre Kiristos, the minister for foreign affairs and IGAD’s executive secretary Mahboub M. Maalim. All officials politely requested him to leave the session room explaining his country’s request of application to rejoin the bloc has not yet been decided.
The problem was eventually solved by the IGAD ministers and guests including the AUC Chair Person, Dr. Jean Ping, leaving the session for a short while. The Eritrean diplomat, was then isolated and escorted out of the room by the Sheraton Addis officials.
After the interruption, the IGAD session continued. Mahaboub M. Maalim welcomed the ministers requested pardon for the disturbance, saying “It is really embarrassing for me and for him (The Eritrean diplomat). The Eritrean officials are abusing my letter of welcoming their request to rejoin the block. In my reaction letter, I expressly explained them it is a welcome move but the decision is up to the head of states summit of IGAD.”
After discussions on issues of famine and humanitarian action in the Horn and particularly in the current political situation in Somalia, IGAD ministers urged in their communiqué, that it’s “rules and procedures be followed in the conduct of its business”, and further underscored that “The application of Eritrea for re admission to IGAD should follow appropriate procedures.”
Ambassador Berhane Gebre Kiristos, minister of foreign affairs of Ethiopia, denounced the current move by the Eritrean government, including the diplomat’s attempt to obstruct the IGAD session, saying that “the whole intent of the Eritrean government’s recent moves is not building relationship based on mutual interest […] nor it is an indication of changed behavior.”
He further commented that the true intent of the minister is to “wiggle out” of sanctions made by IGAD and that the UNSC is deliberating. “They are making a frantic campaign to obstruct any and every effort towards tightening of sanctions against them.”
It is to be recalled that Eritrea has been self-suspended from IGAD last four years ago. But last month the Eritrean ministry of foreign affairs has sent letter of application for re-admission to the bloc which is yet to discussed by IGAD heads of states.
Source: Reporter
It is to be recalled that Eritrea has been self-suspended from IGAD last four years ago. But last month the Eritrean ministry of foreign affairs has sent letter of application for re-admission to the bloc which is yet to discussed by IGAD heads of states.
Source: Reporter
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