UN Mulls Eritrea Sanctions Over Somalia Interference

Medeshi
UN Mulls Eritrea Sanctions Over Somalia Interference
NEW YORK (AFP)--The U.N. Security Council said Thursday it would consider taking appropriate measures against countries, including Eritrea, that provide aid to armed militant groups in Somalia.
The council "condemns the recent attacks on the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) and the civilian population by armed groups and foreign fighters who undermine peace and stability in Somalia," it said in a declaration read by the body's president for July, Ugandan Ambassador Ruhakana Rugunda.
Somalia's fragile transitional government controls virtually no territory and has been unable to govern the country due to ongoing fighting with hard-line militias.
The Security Council noted the African Union's call for action against countries, including nearby Eritrea, that have provided support for the militants.
The U.N. body said it remained committed to the Djibouti peace process concluded in 2008 between the transitional government and a major Islamist opposition faction, which has failed to strengthen the TFG or produce peace.
"The Security Council is deeply concerned in this regard and will consider expeditiously what action to take against any party undermining the Djibouti Peace Process," the declaration said.
The African Union, meeting in Libya last Friday, appealed to the Security Council to impose sanctions against Eritrea - a call echoed Wednesday by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African regional group.
Militia groups Shebab and Hezb al-Islam, a more political organization, launched an unprecedented nationwide offensive in May against the administration of Somalian President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed, who enjoys international backing.
But Sharif's forces have been unable to reassert their authority over the capital Mogadishu.