Eritrea told to support peace initiatives before rejoining IGAD
What you need to know:
- Kenya willing to support Eritrea to rejoin IGAD
Kenya on Monday asked Eritrea to support regional peace initiatives before it rejoins Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).
While receiving a special message from Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki that was delivered by the Eritrean Ambassador to Kenya Beyene Russom, President Mwai Kibaki said Kenya was willing to work with all pro-peace neighbouring states in the region.
Eritrea has sought Kenya's support in an effort to rejoin IGAD.
"In his response, President Kibaki welcomed Eritrea’s decision to rejoin IGAD subject to the Government of Eritrea’s support for regional peace initiatives," said a PPS statement to the newsroom.
During the meeting, Kibaki and Ambassador Russom discussed the issue of visas for Eritrean nationals visiting Kenya.
After the lapse of the agreement for the abolition of visas between the two states, Kenya reinstated a referral visa regime with respect to Eritrean nationals.
However, Kibaki assured the envoy that the issue of visas for Eritreans was being addressed by the relevant government agencies.
