Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Eritrea's president says no fear of unrest after army mutiny

(Feb 12, 2013, (Reuters))--Eritrea's President Isaias Afewerki sought on Monday to calm fears of unrest, and in his first reaction to the storming of the information ministry ago by dissident troops three weeks, blamed "bankrupt enemies" for being behind the attack.

Eritrean soldiers, backed by tanks, took over the ministry on January 21 and obliged the director general of state television to appeal for all political prisoners to be freed.  Calm soon returned in the capital, but Eritrean opposition activists in neighbouring Ethiopia say there is growing dissent within the army, Africa's second biggest, over economic hardship.

Isaias said his administration had chosen to remain silent to avoid "serving the ploys of bankrupt enemy quarters". The incident sparked protests by exiled Eritreans in Europe, who briefly occupied embassies in

London, Rome and other cities last month to express support for the mutinous soldiers. "Entertain no worry at all, as there was, and does not exist, any reason for being apprehensive," the information ministry website quoted him as saying on Monday. Isaias did not disclose who was behind the plot, but said details would be provided "at an appropriate time". Read more from Reuters »

Related topics:
Eritrea: 'Troops deployed' in Asmara
Eritrea: Calm returns to Asmara after siege ends  
Protesters occupy Eritrean embassy in London   
Prime Minister Hailemariam says no change of policy on Eritrea
Reflections on relations between Ethiopia and Eritrea
Can Ethiopia and Eritrea finally find peace? 

No comments:

Post a Comment