Sudan, Eritrea Sign Reconciliation Accord Under Qatari Mediation
May 3, 1999 - 0:0
DOHA The presidents of Sudan and Eritrea, Omar al-Beshir and Issaias Afeworki, signed a reconciliation accord in the Qatari capital on Sunday, Qatar's official news agency QNA announced. It said they agreed to work to clear the atmosphere and settle the conflict between the Republic of Sudan and Eritrea, as part of the mediation undertaken by Qatar. The Qatari Emir, Sheikh Hamad ibn Khalifa al-Thani, attended the signing, QNA said, without giving details of the accord.
Asmara has hosted the main Sudanese opposition coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, since 1996 and Khartoum routinely accuses it of providing the coalition's armed wing with military support. Asmara denies the charge and in turn accuses Khartoum, which in early March brokered the creation of a united Eritrean opposition front, of providing its opponents with armed support.
Asmara has hosted the main Sudanese opposition coalition, the National Democratic Alliance, since 1996 and Khartoum routinely accuses it of providing the coalition's armed wing with military support. Asmara denies the charge and in turn accuses Khartoum, which in early March brokered the creation of a united Eritrean opposition front, of providing its opponents with armed support.