President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda arrived in Asmara for a three day official visit on Tuesday this week, following an invitation from President Isaias. His visit follows the surprise visit of President Isaias to Kampala last year.

The two Presidents have exchanged views on the possibility of enhancing bilateral relations, on issues of regional peace, security and integration in East Africa, and on international issues of mutual interest to both countries.

On Somalia, Eritrea’s Minister of Information, Ali Abdu, said the two leaders had agreed to work together to bring about peace and security, development, liberty and unity. They also made clear their support for Somalia’s sovereignty. Five months ago, of course, the United Nations Security Council imposed further sanctions on Eritrea following Eritrea’s persistent support of Al-Shabaab, the Al-Qaeda-affiliated terrorist group which has been destabilizing Somalia and trying to overthrow the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia.

The two presidents also expressed their concern over the situation in South Sudan and Sudan, calling on South Sudan and Sudan leaders to resolve their difference peacefully and by themselves.

On the continental level, they agreed to play a major role “to liberate and rescue” the African Union and regional organizations including IGAD from chaos, to encourage sustainable development and prosperity to flourish in the region and in the continent.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by Ali Abdu and Uganda’s State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Musam Kiyingi, to boost ties and cooperation on food, trade, peace and security, civil aviation, communications, education and health and in socio-economic areas. They also agreed to establish a Joint Ministerial Commission to implement and evaluate their agreements and the relationship of Eritrea and Uganda.

Source: A Week in the Horn – June 1, 2012 issue.

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