Who Demonizes Eritrea and Why? (GlobalResearch, Canada)

Global Research, Investig'Action

The Security Council of the United Nations has voted to impose sanctions on Eritrea. This decision is based on a mendacious campaign that accuses the country of giving military support to Somali rebels. The sanctions are in truth aimed at strengthening the strategic interests of certain superpowers in the Horn of Africa. While Eritrea is unfairly paying the price for its independence, demonstrations in her support are expected throughout the world. (Source: michelcollon.info)

Thirty four minutes. That is the time it took the UN Security Council to

decide on Eritrea's fate. The Council effectively passed Resolution

1907/2009 imposing sanctions on this small country in the Horn of Africa.

But this decision is based on fake information and a campaign of lies waged

principally by the United States, the United Kingdom and Uganda. Only China

abstained, while Libya voted against.

Eritrea is accused of providing arms and ammunition to armed groups in

Somalia and of maintaining conflicts with its neighbours in Ethiopia and

Djibouti. It is obvious that the Security Council members who voted to

impose sanctions knew nothing about the history of Eritrea nor the situation

in Somalia. The Asmara government, on the other hand, has repeated

endlessly to the United Nations that it has not provided arms to Somali

groups. Not only does it not have the means to do this, but it has on top

of that put forward proposals for the resolution of the crisis in Somalia,

e.g., to open up dialogue for the purpose of reconciling all the parties

involved in the country, without foreign interference.

The UN took no notice but instead accused Eritrea. But it was not Eritrea

who created the problem in Somalia. It is not she who invaded that country

nor violated the 1992 arms embargo. Who are those who are really

responsible then (1)? None other than those who today steer the Security

Council.

The Horn of Africa is for Washington a strategic reason where it seeks to

establish a military base. Its aim? To control the Middle East and access

by Africa to the Indian Ocean. Ethiopia and Djibouti are on side. But

Somalia has not had a government for the last 20 years and the country has

been plunged into chaos. When the Islamic Courts movement managed to bring

peace to the country in 2006, the Ethiopian army, supported by Washington,

invaded Mogadishu. Since then the situation has gone from bad to worse.

Then there is Eritrea which holds out against the imperialist powers to

pursue an independent policy.

It is precisely for this reason why it is under fire today. The Asmara

government does its best, with the limited means at its disposal, to protect

its people from being plundered and bullied by colonial powers. The

country's economy relies mainly on a developing agriculture, and the

government gives great importance to raising educational standards, while

the infrastructure network is relatively well developed. In addition, the

country has important deposits of gold, copper, gas and oil which have not

yet been exploited. These reaw materials are whetting the appetite of

neo-colonial powers. But Eritrea is following its own model of development

and wishes to dispose of its wealth as it considers best. example for the

region.

The US is seeking therefor to marginalise Eritrea. This is why they caused

unfair sanctions to be imposed on this country. But the members of the

Security Council ought to take into account all the facts and the evidence

available in order to find a peaceful solution to the problems in the Horn

of Africa. Demonstrations in Europe, the US and Australia are planned for

the purpose of appealing to the Security Council to review its decision

(2). The countries of Africa need peace. They don't need arms dealers,

invasions or sanctions.

Mohamed Hassan