WASHINGTON — The Obama administration on Wednesday criticized Eritrea for destabilizing activities in Somalia, warning it could soon face sanctions unless it stops support for Somali extremists.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice said Wednesday that Eritrea’s backing of the extremists, some of whom have been linked to al-Qaida, is destabilizing the Horn of Africa and posing a threat to international security.
Rice’s warning came ahead of a visit to the region next week by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who planned to meet in Kenya with the Sheik Sharif Sheik Ahmed, president of Somalia’s feeble transitional government.
“It is unacceptable and we will not tolerate it and nor will other members of the Security Council,” Rice said in testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “We will continue to discuss with colleagues in the Security Council appropriate measures, including potentially sanctions, against Eritrea for its actions in Somalia.”
Rice renewed U.S. allegations that Eritrea is “arming, supporting and funding” al-Shabab, an Islamist militia group that was designated a terrorist group by Washington in 2008, and other extremists.
The current Somali government is backed by the United Nations, the African Union, which has a small peacekeeping operation in Somalia, and the United States. The U.S. has supplied the Somali government with at least 40 tons of military equipment, small arms and ammunition, to counter the extremists.
Rice did not outline what sanctions Eritrea might face, but the Bush administration had begun a review to determine if the country could be designated a “state sponsor of terrorism,” which brings with it a host of economic penalties.
Rice added that Eritrea, a small nation on the Red Sea, is also playing a negative role elsewhere by ignoring U.N. demands for an explanation of a military incursion last year into neighboring Djibouti.
Eritrea “has essentially stiffed and stonewalled” the United Nations and others on the Djibouti situation, she said.
“There is a very short window for Eritrea to signal through its actions that it wishes a better relationship with the United States and indeed the wider international community,” Rice said. “If we do not see signs of that signal in short order, I can assure you that we will be taking appropriate steps with partners in Africa and the Security Council.”
Eritrea has repeatedly denied it is supporting extremists in Somalia despite reports from U.N. investigators that document such arms shipments. But it has made clear its disdain for the lengthy negotiations that led to the formation of Somalia’s transitional government, whose legitimacy Eritrea questions.
Somalia has not had an effective government since 1991 when warlords overthrew longtime dictator Mohamed Siad Barre and then turned on each other, plunging the country into chaos and anarchy.
Source: The Associated Press
By MATTHEW LEE (AP)
