President Isaias Afwerki | Talk to Al Jazeera

Summary

In this interview with Al Jazeera, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki addresses accusations of supporting armed groups and sanctions imposed on Eritrea. He refutes claims of involvement with al-Shabaab, the African Union, and the United Nations, labeling them as a 'mockery of justice.' The President also discusses Eritrea's relations with Ethiopia, Sudan, and the wider region, emphasizing the country's sovereignty and denying allegations of destabilizing activities. He expresses commitment to improving Eritrean citizens' quality of life without external interference.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Eritrea is Africa's youngest nation, striving to balance its people's needs with the perceived threats to the nation.
• 💔 The President of Eritrea feels victimized by the United Nations' sanctions, viewing them as a mockery of justice.
• 🚫 Eritrea denies supporting armed groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia, dismissing such claims as lies and distortions of facts.
• 🤝 The President emphasizes the importance of an inclusive political process in Somalia, involving all Somalis, regardless of their affiliations.
• 🛑 The President attributes the border conflict with Ethiopia to the United States, claiming it was instigated and the resolution is being blocked by them.
• 🔒 Eritrea is accused of having links with Jem and the SLA, but the President denies these allegations, calling them deliberate distortions.
• 🕊️ Eritrea claims to have supported a comprehensive political process in Sudan, not favoring any particular group, and denies pulling Jem out of peace talks.
• 🔗 The President refutes the claims of Eritrea supporting radical Islam or using Somalia as a battleground against Ethiopia.
• 🛂 Eritrea is accused of providing arms to Hamas, but the President denies this, stating they have no need for weapons from Iran.
• 🌍 The President asserts that Eritrea is not for sale to any foreign power, emphasizing the nation's sovereignty and independence.
• 🚫 The President denies all allegations of supporting destabilizing activities in the region, calling them fabrications and lies.

Q & A

What are the sanctions imposed on Eritrea by the United Nations and how does the president perceive them?

The United Nations imposed sanctions on Eritrea for allegedly supporting armed groups like al-Shabaab in Somalia. The president views these sanctions as a mockery of justice and history, denying any involvement with such groups.

How does Eritrea respond to accusations of supporting al-Shabaab?

Eritrea denies supporting al-Shabaab or any other armed groups in Somalia. The president emphasizes that they have never sympathized with or supported one group over another and that al-Shabaab's claims of Eritrean Defense Ministry visits are unfounded.

What is Eritrea's stance on the involvement of religious solutions to political, social, and economic problems?

Eritrea's stance is that religion is not an alternative or substitute for political, social, and economic problems. They do not believe in solutions based on Sharia or Islam being the answer to such issues.

What is the president's view on the border issue with Ethiopia?

The president believes the border issue was a senseless conflict instigated by the United States. He mentions that the arbitration decision, which was taken in 2002, has been blocked by the United States, not by Ethiopia.

How does Eritrea address the issue of indefinite military service and the harsh conditions associated with it?

The president denies the existence of indefinite military service or harsh conditions, dismissing it as another lie propagated by those who wish to destabilize the region.

What is Eritrea's relationship with Sudan, and how does the president respond to allegations of supporting JEM and the SLA?

The president denies any links to JEM or the SLA, stating that these are distortions of history and facts. He also denies that Eritrea has camps for these groups, and accuses the Sudanese government of making false claims.

How does Eritrea balance its relationships with both Iran and Israel?

The president asserts that Eritrea is not for sale to any country, including Iran and Israel. He dismisses the idea that Eritrea is involved in regional conflicts or proxy wars between these nations.

What is Eritrea's stance on the accusations of providing arms to Hamas?

Eritrea denies providing arms to Hamas, stating that they do not have diplomatic relations with any Palestinian organization and that they do not need weapons from Iran.

How does the president respond to claims of Eritrea supporting the Houthis in Yemen?

The president denies supporting the Houthis, calling such claims fantasies propagated by those who wish to create a sense of threat and fear in the region for their own agendas.

What is the president's view on the freedom of the press and speech in Eritrea?

The president dismisses claims of repression and lack of freedom of the press and speech in Eritrea, calling them lies and fabrications.

How does Eritrea justify its reluctance to allow aid workers into the country during the drought in the Horn of Africa?

The president questions the need for aid workers, stating that Eritrea has enough food and does not require external assistance to feed its population.