Eritrea’s information minister says President Isaias Afewerki’s government is “inherently” opposed to all forms of terrorism.
Ali Abdu denied Eritrea armed and trained terrorist who allegedly plotted to attack top Ethiopian government officials.
“It has two purposes; one to get some attention from some big powers and at the same time to divert the attention of the Ethiopian people from its domestic problem which is ever increasing, be it in social, political and economic aspects.The second and the most dangerous is…the regime in Ethiopia has decided to eliminate any opposition or dissident before the so-called May election,” he said.
In a statement last week, Ethiopia said its security officers arrested a number of people belonging to a terrorist group who were plotting to carry out attacks against top Ethiopian government officials.
But Abdu rejected the accusation as petty.
“For us it is very ridiculous to go down to their level and respond to this kind of trivial accusation,” Abdu said.
Ethiopia’s police said they apprehended a terrorist who admitted receiving military training in Eritrea.
The police also said that they seized various weapons, which they said were aimed at destroying major infrastructures in the country. But Abdu said Ethiopia is peddling lies.
“What is their proof? These people are pathetic liars. They are chronic liars. Where is the evidence? Show me. We are in principle against terrorism and they know this. It’s them who are exercising a state of terrorism by oppressing and eliminating internationalists and nations in some places. They have declared war against Ogadenian people,” Abdu said.
The United Nations recently imposed sanctions on Eritrea after it accused President Afewerki’s government of backing hard-line Islamic insurgents who are battling Somalia’s government.
But Abdu said despite the recent U.N.-imposed sanctions, Eritrea will continue to promote peace in the region.
