Tuesday, November 08, 2011

Eritrea accuses Ethiopia of waging smear campaign

(Tuesday 8 November 2011, Africa News)--Eritrean has denied claims that his country was arming Somalia militia al-Shabab, after Kenya claimed that planes were secretly flying weapons to Somalia with Eritrean involvement.

Instead, Asmara accuses her neighbour Ethiopia of waging disinformation campaign to undermine Eritrea and frustrate its constructive regional and international engagement.

Furthermore, Ethiopia is accused of the main cause of destabilization in Horn of Africa. Earlier, Eritrean envoy Beyene Russom met Kenyan Foreign Affairs minister Moses Wetang'ula, Permanent Secretary Thuita Mwangi and Diplomatic and Political Affairs Secretary Patrick Wamoto in Nairobi.

At the meeting, the Kenyan government expressed its displeasure over reports that three planes originating from Asmara had delivered arms to al-Shabab.

Eritrean foreign affairs ministry said that these accusations are pure fabrications and outright lies. “Eritrea has consistently repeated for a Somali owned political process, inclusive of Somaliland, Puntland and other key stakeholders.

Eritrea sole interest in Somali is to see peace and stability return to this important Horn of Africa country and an end to suffering of the Somalia people”, the government said in a statement.

Kenyan military spokesman said three flights carrying arms, heavy artillery and explosives to Somalia to arm the al-Shabab fighting the joint assault by Kenya and Somalia forces to destroy the militias' strongholds in south Somalia.

The Kenyan Army is fighting the ragtag militia. On Tuesday, top Kenyan officials and other sources said two airplanes flew to Baidoa to deliver arms to al-Shabab. Kenyan troops entered Somalia last month.
Source: Africa News

Related topics:
Eritrean envoy blames Ethiopia for diplomatic row
All Eyes on Eritrea as Arms Shipment Reaches Al-Shabab

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