Eritrea–Sudan relations
Eritrea |
Sudan |
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Eritrea–Sudan relations have historically been tense, but have normalized in recent years.
History
By the end of 1993, shortly after
Eritrea's surprise
Eritrea resumed diplomatic relations with Sudan on 10 December 2005.[3] The presidents of Sudan and Eritrea met for the first time in five years in mid-2006 in Khartoum.[1] Eritrea played a prominent role in brokering a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and Sudan's Eastern Front.[1][4][5] This put Sudan–Eritrea relations on a new, positive track, although Sudan remained worried about Eritrea's activities in Darfur.[1][6] The nations’ leaders met again in Khartoum near the end of 2006 and frequently in subsequent years.[1] In 2007, president Isaias Afwerki also met with Salva Kiir in Juba.[1] Isaias described relations with Sudan as resting on solid ground and having "bright prospects."[1] Eritrea seemed to have ended its contacts with Darfur rebel groups and become supportive of the NPC in Sudan.[1] It also established a consulate-general in South Sudan's capital of Juba, and its consul-general in May 2010 expressed support for the principle of self-determination.[1] The same month, Yemane Ghebremeskel, a senior adviser to Isaias, commented that Eritrea hoped the January 2011 referendum would lead to the unity of Sudan.[1]
In 2011, Eritrea and Sudan cooperated in the building of the Kassala-Al Lafa Highway linking the two countries.[7] In 2012, the Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, and his Sudanese counterpart Omar al-Bashir, held talks in Asmara on a number of bilateral issues of mutual concern to the two East African countries. The talks dealt with enhancing bilateral ties and cooperation including making their shared border more open. Sudan and Eritrea agreed to abolish entry visa requirements, opening their common borders for free movement of both nationals.[8]
On 10 May 2014, the state-owned Sudan News Agency announced during Isaias' visit to the Al Jeili oil refinery that Sudan had agreed to supply Eritrea with fuel and boost its economic partnership. It was also reported that the Sudanese Electricity Company planned to supply a 45-kilometre (28 mi) power line from Kassala to the Eritrean town of Teseney.[9] On 4 May 2021, Isaias visited Khartoum to discuss the ongoing border dispute between Ethiopia and Sudan. In conversation with Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan, head of Sudan's Transitional Sovereignty Council, he raised regional issues and the long-time dispute over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.[10]
See also
References
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8444-0750-0. Archived from the original(PDF) on 20 September 2015.
- ^ "Eritrea-Sudan relations plummet". BBC. 15 January 2004. Archived from the original on 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Sudan, Eritrea resume severed diplomatic relations". ArabicNews.com. 10 December 2005. Archived from the original on 16 January 2007.
- ^ "Sudan demands Eritrean mediation with eastern Sudan rebels". Sudan Tribune. 2006-04-18. Archived from the original on 2006-05-19. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ "Turabi terms USA "world's ignoramuses", fears Sudan's partition". Sudan Tribune. 2005-11-04. Archived from the original on 2006-07-18. Retrieved 2006-06-07.
- ^ Eritrea, Chad accused of aiding Sudan rebels Archived 2012-06-29 at archive.today, afrol News, September 7. Retrieved 2009-03-15
- ^ "Sudan-Eritrea road to boost ties: Emir". Archived from the original on 2013-01-31. Retrieved 2011-10-27.
- ^ Tekle, Tesfa-Alem (24 May 2012). "Eritrean, Sudanese leaders hold talks in Asmara - Sudan Tribune: Plural news and views on Sudan". Sudan Tribune. Archived from the original on 7 July 2012.
- ^ "Relations between Eritrea and Sudan continue to improve". country.eiu.com. Retrieved 2022-05-29.
- ^ "Eritrea's president visits Sudan amid tensions over Ethiopia". AP NEWS. Retrieved 2022-05-29.