Eritrean government accuses Ethiopia of blocking its right to participate in African Union

By ARGAW ASHINE, NATION

Correspondent Posted Tuesday, February 2 2010 at 20:04

ADDIS ABABA, Tuesday The Eritrean government has circulated a letter to African heads of state accusing Ethiopia of blocking its right to participate in African Union summits and meetings.
According to a letter by Eritrean, for the last 10 years Eritrea has been denied its right to participate in African Union summits and other meetings in Addis Ababa by Ethiopian refusal to extend proper diplomatic and security guarantee.
Ethiopia continues to obstruct Eritrea’s right to participate in AU Summits and other AU meetings in Addis Ababa by its refusal to observe the basic diplomatic provisions spelled out in the HQ Agreement and that are extended to all Member States,” the Eritrean government said.
Eritrea expressed its concern and asked issues related with Eritrea should not be discussed in the absence of Eritrea in Addis Ababa.

Imposed sanctions

Eritrea calls comes after an AU ministerial level meeting in Addis Ababa once again voiced support to UN imposed sanction and condemned Asmara to its negative roles in regional stability.
Eritrea also called on the African Union to stop holding its summits and other meetings in Addis Ababa.
African Union chief Jean Ping said Eritrea’s complaint was distributed to all member states and he assured Eritrea could participate in the AU activities and he informed that Ethiopian government assured AU to deliver all necessary security and diplomatic needs. Mr Ping said he told Ethiopian authorities Eritrea was free to establish a mission to AU headquarters in Addis Ababa.
Mr Jean Ping urged Eritrean administration to resume its attendance and mission at AU.
Eritrea and Ethiopia fought a bloody war between1998-2000 which killed 70,000 people.

Leaders gathered
In another development, African leaders gathered at the summit disputed the outcome of Copenhagen climate change accord which was issued last December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark .
As part of AU summit, Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi who was head the Africa delegation in the Copenhagen summit briefed leaders on the agreement but some African leaders expressed their disappointment on the final deal.
Mr Meles said the perception of Africa among rich nations was a major challenge and they [the rich] perceive Africa’s justice request as a “begging”.
During the Copenhagen summit Mr Meles proposed $50 billion per year funding for Africa by 2015 and $100 billion by 2020. Senegalese president Abdulaye Wade said the Copenhagen deal did not really represent the interests of Africa.

Source: Daily Nation: http://www.nation.co.ke/News/africa/-/1066/854548/-/123rlblz/-/