BY THOMAS C MOUNTAIN
The recent peace deal being implemented in Sudan was brokered by African leaders without any interference or even input by non-African players ie the UN or western countries. As a matter of fact, the deal was made in Asmara, Eritrea where the head of the Sudanese military that had overthrown the long-time despot Omar Al Bashir sat down for two days with Eritrean mediators, agreed to the deal, flew back to Khartoum and announced the deal a few hours later.
No western “input”, no UN involvement, actually no African Union involvement to speak of, though the AU spokesperson was allowed to make the public announcement of the peace deal.
>> ALSO READ : Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Military Council Visits Eritrea
Just like the last, hopefully, South Sudan peace deal, the only one that has been pretty much successful, the road to peace in the Horn of Africa once again ran through Asmara. And not one so-called “expert” in matters African has pointed out the obvious, that it was only a few hours after returning from Eritrea that the deal was announced.
>> ALSO READ : President Isaias Meets Deputy Chairman of Sudanese TMC
Say something positive about a “socialist country”, Eritrea? They all seem to know how NOT to bite the hand that feeds them. Nothing positive can be said about Eritrea, no ways no how. Never mind that peace has descended on Sudan, or at least the capital Khartoum, and it arrived on the wings of a jet direct from Asmara.
So once again, as in the case of Ethiopia’s “Peaceful Revolution”, peace has broken out in the Horn of Africa, or at least a major step in that direction, and credit must be given to those who deserve it, the leadership of Eritrea. It’s a matter of Africans solving African problems, the only way real, durable peace anywhere on the continent will be obtained.
#Eritrea's senior delegation composed of Foreign Minister Osman Saleh & Presidential Adviser Yemane G/ab today met the Chairman of Sudan's TMC, Lt. General Abel-Fattah Al-Burhan, in Khartoum and delivered a message from President Isaias Afwerki. pic.twitter.com/pnskPk4uKi
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) June 24, 2019
Pre. Isaias reiterated, in his message,Eritrea's support to the Sudanese people,its political forces & TMC. Message also underlined GOE's appreciation of efforts underway to chart out successful transitional arrangement & that new chapter augurs well for stronger bilateral ties. pic.twitter.com/cjMH7MEph0
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) June 24, 2019
Chairman of TMC, Lt. Gen. Abdel-Fattah Al-Burhan, for his part,commended Eritrea's constructive role that stems from good-neighbourly perspectives & Sudan's readiness to restore warm ties with Eritrea. Delegation also met with Deputy Chairman of TMC & Head of Political Committee
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) June 24, 2019
President Isaias Afwerki met today at State House Lt. Gen. Mohammad Hamdan Daglo, the Deputy Chairman of Sudan's Transitional Military Council (TMC). President Isaias underlined responsibility of the TMC & GOE support for smooth & peaceful consummation of the transition process pic.twitter.com/IuzJIQ3fbF
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) July 2, 2019
The two sides further discussed progress of Eritrea-Sudan bilateral ties. In this respect, the two sides agreed to open the border between the two countries as well as on the formation of Joint Committee to chart out the modalities and monitor the implementation of the agreement pic.twitter.com/eH59KgdDOU
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) July 2, 2019
Presidential Adviser Yemane Ghebreab today met in Khartoum Chairman of Transitional Military Council, Lt. Gen Abdul-Fattah Al-Burhan as well as Deputy Chairman of the TMC. The discussions centered on concrete steps to jump-start comprehensive cooperation between the two countries pic.twitter.com/eit7AbE0F5
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) July 7, 2019
Presidential Adviser Yemane G/ab today met with leading members of Sudan's Forces for Freedom & Change. The two sides discussed vast opportunities & many challenges of transition period;agreed to forge strong cooperation on basis of longstanding solidarity between the two peoples pic.twitter.com/n11IsOuH7p
— Yemane G. Meskel (@hawelti) July 8, 2019
Thomas C. Mountain is a historian and educator living and reporting from Eritrea since 2006. See thomascmountain on Facebook and Twitter at thomascmountain or best reach him at thomascmountain at gmail dot com