Djibouti cuts relations with Eritrea
Djibouti-North Africa, Politics, 11/19/1998

Djibouti, which Asmara has accused of supporting Ethiopia, cut off its diplomatic relations with Eritrea on Wednesday, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry in Djibouti.

Djibouti's acting foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Rifqi Abdul Qader, on Wednesday received the ambassador of Eritrea in Djibouti, Ramadan Othman Muhammad and handed him a message demanding the closure of the Eritrean embassy and the withdrawal of Eritrean diplomats accredited in Djibouti.

In its statement, the ministry said, "The government of Djibouti decided to sever its diplomatic relations with Eritrea following false accusations addressed by the President of Eritrea, Assyas Afworki, against Djibouti, accusing it of taking part in the war with Ethiopia."

The embassy explained that the Yemeni embassy in Asmara will be in charge in serving the interests of Djibouti and its citizens in Eritrea. Official sources in Djibouti said on Wednesday that the ambassador of Djibouti to Eritrea, Ahmad Issa, was summoned on Sunday for consultations following a request from Asmara for Djibouti to withdraw from the mediation committee of the Organization of African Unity, which mediates between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Asmara accuses Djibouti of providing military support for Ethiopia.

Eight days earlier, Djibouti Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Minister Muhammad Moussa Shahm asked Asmara to submit an official apology.

The African mediation committee -- composed of the presidents of Djibouti, Hassan Goulid; Zimbabwe Robert Mugabi; and leaders from Burkina Faso Ethiopia and Eritrea which have been involved in a border conflict for six months.

The port of Djibouti has become an outlet for Ethiopian exports and imports, which used to be transported through the port of Asab in Eritrea.

Previous Stories:
  Libya, Eritrea for coordinating political, economic decisions   (10/2/1998)
  No Egyptian military attaches in African Horn and Nile Basin countries   (8/27/1998)
  Nine agreements for Egyptian cooperation with Djibouti   (7/22/1998)

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