Djibouti Defense Minister In Eritrea To Discuss Somalia

The Djibouti Minister of Defense, Mr. Ougure Kifle Ahmed and Eritrean Defense Minister, General Sebhat Ephrem

Asmara, Eritrea, August 30, 2006 – The Defense Ministers of Eritrea and Djibouti says it could be years before Ethiopian troops can leave Somalia, meaning Ethiopian military strategy could be serving there for a long time to come, and that will weak the current stability in Southern Somalia.  

"There is no common IGAD strategy for Somalia," IGAD2020 regional Security watch expert said after meeting with the defense ministers in Asmara Friday to discuss the future military mission from the frontline states.  

According to the Eritrean news agency, A Djiboutian government delegation headed by the Minister of Defense, Mr. Ougure Kifle Ahmed, arrived Asmara on a working visit about the Horn of African current border military buildups.  

On arrival at Asmara International Airport, the delegation was welcomed by the Eritrean Defense Minister, General Sebhat Ephrem and other senior Army commanders.  

During its stay in Eritrea, the Djibouti   delegation would hold talks with General Sebhat Ephrem and other heads of the Defense Ministry. It would also conduct visits to different places.  

It is to be recalled that an Eritrean delegation headed by the Defense Minister had conducted a similar visit to Djibouti last month.  

It's still not clear what the Ethiopian troops in Southern Somalia will be doing in Somalia after Khartoum peace conference next week.  

The Kenyan, Uganda and Ethiopia have agreed to lead what are known as FTNG security backup reconstruction teams, providing security and rebuilding infrastructure inside the TNG temporary capital of Baidoa.

Sources: Eritrean Media/HAN

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