Somalia Has Proof Of Eritrea’s Meddling in Internal Affairs, Says Minister

Somali officials are considering reporting neighboring Eritrea to the UN Security Council for undermining the government despite Asmara's sharp denial. President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed's unity government has accused Eritrea of continually supplying arms hard-line insurgent groups, including al-Shabab, to destabilize the government. But Asmara flatly denies this, saying it is tired of accusations that it sends weapons to al-Qaeda-linked Islamist militants fighting the new Somali government. Described by Washington as a terrorist organization with strong ties to al-Qaeda, al-Shabab has refused to recognize the new Somali government, vowing eventually to take over the country.Abdushakur Warsame is the Somali Minister for Planning and International Cooperation.He told VOA that Mogadishu has proof of Asmara's meddling.
"This is the first time we talked as a national unity government of Somalia about Eritrea interference in Somali issues. And this is not an accusation, but it is information, and we gave details and information about the Eritrean involvement of sullying weapons and ammunitions to the opposition groups like al-Shabab and Hisbul-Islam," Warsame said.He said Mogadishu is not sure the rationale behind Asmara's interference in Somalia's internal political dynamics."We don't know why Asmara is supporting al-Shabab. There is no reason to support al-Shabab. Al-Shabab doesn't have any legitimacy to fight against the national unity government. There is no Ethiopian occupation in the country and they (al-Shabab) demanded the Sharia law, and the president accepted, and the parliament approved that application of the Sharia," he said.Warsame described as unfortunate Asamara's support to hard-line Islamic insurgents."We don't know why Eritrea is still trying to destabilize Somalia and trying to create chaos and confusion in our country," Warsame said.He said Mogadishu has proof of Eritrea supporting the insurgents."The minister of security has already provided a detailed account of how many weapons they supplied and how many times Eritrean flights land into Somalia. And he clearly stated and said on Tuesday and Friday, and also he mentioned that in the next few days, another airplane would be landing in our country," he said.Warsame said Somali has asked neighboring Eritrea to desist from supporting the hard-line insurgents who are bent on destabilizing the new government."We are reiterating Eritrea should not interfere in Somali affairs. Otherwise, our government is now considering to write to the (UN) Security Council because that (its action) is a breach of Security Council resolution of arms embargo on Somalia. So we are considering to write to the AU (African Union), to the Security Council, and all international bodies about what Eritrea is doing in our country," Warsame said...more..http://www.voanews.com/english/africa/2009-05-05-voa3.cfm?rss=africa