Bashir raps UN sanctions on Eritrea

ASMARA, Saturday

Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has criticized the sanctions imposed on Eritrea last December by the United Nations Security Council, Eritrean local media reported on Saturday.

Bashir paid a one-day working visit on the Red Sea state on Friday during which he held talks with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and attacked the UN resolution.

“The people and the government of Sudan reject the unjust sanctions Resolution 1907 against Eritrea,” the state-run Eritrea Profile reported Bashir as saying.

Logical stance

Yemane Gebreab, head of political affairs at Eritrea’s ruling party, welcomed the support. “Such a logical stance would further enhance Eritrean-Sudanese ties,” the Profile reported Yemane as saying.

Bashir’s visit follows Isaias’ involvement in pursuing a peaceful resolution to the Darfur crisis in Sudan as the two nations continue to strengthen ties, the Profile said.

The Sudanese president is wanted by the International Criminal Court on charges of “war crimes and crimes against humanity” for his alleged role in the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.

Bashir has dismissed the charges.

The UN Security Council accuses Eritrea of providing funds and weapons to Islamist insurgents in Somalia. (Reuters)