NEWS & ANALYSIS
FEBRUARY 1994
Crises Brewing in Eritrea
Last month, an Eritrean rebel group named Jebbha has taken under its control six districts and is posed to attack
Massawa, according to eye witnesses who came from the region.
Recently, Ato Issayas Afeworki, president of the government in Eritrea, acknowledged armed conflict with Islamic groups supported by Sudan. An Islamic group which called itself Al Mujhadeen Al Ertrio reportedly ambushed and killed several Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) troops at 23 km from the Sudan/Ethiopian border in Eritrea.
Meanwhile, the Issayas government expelled a Sudanese diplomat from Asmera. The expelled diplomat is accused supporting Muslim oppostion groups in Eritrea. Sudanese diplomatics in Addis Abeba are also under security survalance by the TG.
In recent months, Jebha has been reorganized and heavily armed with support from Sudan, Morroco, Tunisia and Algeria after it was almost wiped out by EPLF.
Concerned over the actions of Sudan, Ato Issayas sent a letter to Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak asking for assistance. It is not known what Mubark responded.
In a related story, TG Foreign Minister, Seyoum Mesfin, criticized Sudan for supporting Muslim rebel groups in Eritrea during a press conference he gave on January 19. Ato Seyoum said that anything that affect the peace and stability of neibering country will concern his government.
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A news and opinion journal on Ethiopia