Sudan Bans Eritrean Opposition Activities

News Article by The Monitor posted on June 07, 2008 at 21:24:26: EST (-5 GMT)

Sudan Bans Eritrean Opposition Activities The Monitor (Kampala) 6 June 2008 By Argaw Ashine - Addis Ababa The Sudanese government this week issued a decree which suspends the activity of Eritrean oppositions on Sudanese soil. The decree issued on Monday declared a ban on any form of Eritrean opposition activity to overthrow Eritrean President Isayas Afeworki using Sudanese territory. Sudanese intelligence officials closed the opposition offices and seized their property including vehicles, opposition leaders said. The move comes after 13 Eritrean oppositions formed a united front last month in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The Sudanese government didn't give any reason for this action against more than dozen Eritrean opposition groups which operated in Khartoum since the late1990's. Eritrean Democratic Alliance (EDA), newly formed umbrella based in Addis Ababa, expressed it deep regret about the Sudanese decision. "We respect their decisions. It's their own land and they have a right," said Nur Idris EDA foreign affairs head. EDA also urged the Sudanese government to reconsider this unwise decision. "We regret about this action which comes immediately after our alliance has formed last month, which is a big milestone for the liberation of Eritrean people," Nur Idris, an opposition official said. In 2007 through the support of Qatar, Eritrea has been mediating between the Sudanese government and Northern Sudan Islamic rebel group backed and sheltered in Asmara.