Chairman of Sudan’s Sovereign Council, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan along with his delegation arrived in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea, on Friday for a brief visit to the East African country.
The visit comes amid allegations by neighbouring Ethiopia that Sudan, Eritrea, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) in Ethiopia formed an alliance to step down the government in Addis Ababa by force.
Speaking during the 30th regular session of Ethiopia’s House of Peoples’ Representatives recently, Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed said his government was strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities and remained confident in its ability to protect Ethiopia’s territorial integrity.
Ahmed told lawmakers that Ethiopia had “no fear” of any alliance involving Eritrea, the TPLF and Sudan, even if other actors joined them. He added that Ethiopia was continuing to build its capacity to defend itself and would act when necessary.
His remarks came amid growing speculation among regional observers that Sudan, Eritrea and the TPLF have developed a tactical alignment. Abiy acknowledged that the three sides had cooperated in the campaign that toppled Ethiopia’s Derg regime in 1991 but argued that such an alliance could not produce the same outcome these days.
“Let alone Shabia (Eritrea) Weyane and Sudan, even others are added, the unity and sovereignty will never be compromised,” said Abiy, highlighting that external forces are fueling ongoing conflicts in different parts of Ethiopia.
APA learned that at the meeting at the State House in Asmara, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and al Burhan held extensive talks on bilateral relations, developments in the Sudan, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his delegation returned back home after concluding their brief visit.
According to a council statement, the two leaders discussed bilateral relations and ways to advance cooperation between Khartoum and Asmara in various fields, without disclosing specific details.
MG/as/APA