Eritrea not to cross an inch into the territory of Djibouti

Nairobi (HAN) April 27, 2008-An Interview with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Mahmoud Ali Youssouf said again and again " Doumeira belongs to us!" which mean Djibouti.

During press briefing on the situation currently prevailing in Doumeira, near the border with Eritrea. Interview with the minister replied to a number of issues that a rose national and regional issues on the question of Eritrea and Djibouti crisis.

Mr. Minister, tell us what President IsmaÏl Omar Guelleh and President Afeworki had said during their recent telephone conversation?

Let me start by reminding you, as I also mentioned in my statement, that a spirit of understanding and brotherhood prevailed in the discussions between the Head of State of Djibouti and his Eritrean counterpart . In his own regard, President Issaias Afeworki visited few weeks ago that on the site in question to give instructions to his men not to cross an inch the territory of Djibouti. The latter has even used the term "shibre" which in Arabic means one inch, one iota. All this to tell you that the Eritrean side, when carrying out engineering work, quite naturally thought to be on its territory, which was not really the case. Of course, it happens that all countries do not share the same understanding and vision tracks border. And everywhere in African countries, like most border routes are inherited from colonization, there is often this kind of situation if approved cards. As for us, fortunately we have all the cards necessary to enforce our rights. We including documents dating from 1882 and which indicate clearly that the sultan Raheïta ceded to France, former colonial power of the Republic of Djibouti, Ras Doumeira and mountain Doumeira located just opposite. And under Article 3 of the African Charter which stipulates the inviolability of borders inherited from colonialism, in which our two countries are also signatories, I think there is not any ambiguity on that point because maps and documents are there.

If persistence of Eritrea, which measures the Republic of Djibouti will it take? At the moment we have recovered our territories. The Djiboutian armed forces are on the border. The question that arises at the moment is not to push the Eritrean forces from our territories but rather to ensure that the zone be demilitarized so that the two armies did not watch dogs earthenware to avoid any minor event that could trigger a widespread confrontation. I think there are a minimum of precautions and it is incumbent upon governments of both countries to ensure that the two armed forces did not look 50 metres of each other. To this end, we will work on the diplomatic level so that the two armed forces in place to return to their barracks, away from borders and preferably 5 kilometres on each side. Until now, and God thank you again, no bullet was fired from both sides.

This is the second time that Eritrea denies the border…
In 1994, I would say that Eritrea is trying to trying to consolidate its identity and geographical area because that country had just acquired its independence. There were, of course, a few errors committed by the State of Eritrea and, thereafter, have been repaired by the International Court of Justice as the border dispute between Asmara and Yemen. Our friends Eritrean we had submitted at that time cards, saying that the demarcation of their border with Djibouti, north of the country, did not correspond with the one we have. The current border dispute between Djibouti and Eritrea has nothing to do with that of 1994, but it lies a few metres from the route.

Is it true that the site in question is a sensitive issue for Eritreans who fear for their safety?

Eritrea is at war with Ethiopia over seven years. Do you have heard it said once that Ethiopian troops have crossed the border djibouto-Eritrean or that any aggression against the Eritrean took place from our territory? No. I can therefore say that all these fears are unfounded. We're here to preserve our fraternal relations with this neighbouring country. And we have served it well.

What can we expect the meeting scheduled for Thursday, April 24 at Ras-Doumeira between military officials from both countries?

We will confront the cards. Apparently, there is a dispute over the boundary line. For us, it passes over the crest of Ras-Doumeira and crack down on a portion of the island which belongs to Doumeira Djibouti.

You should know that with the GPS and other means of modern satellite technology, it is possible to be precise millimeter. And with accurate maps and especially specialists in cartography, we can avoid confusion and put benchmarks in a manner sufficiently clear so that no doubt is still in the future. It is a specialist and cartographer. We are firmly convinced of the correctness of the current route djibouto-Eritrean border.

Sources: Geeska Afrika magazine, MAAS and HAN staff Reporter In Djibouti- posted to the web 26 Apr 2008.