An EU plenipotentiary received in an Eritrea closed to the world

(BRUSSELS2) The EU's desire to become more involved in the Horn of Africa (1) is not an empty word. The EU certainly has a role to play in the region. General Pierre-Michel Joana - who now carries out civil actions as an Africa adviser to the European Union and is the personal representative of Javier Solana (2) for Somalia - was thus received at length by the President of the Eritrean Republic, early November. A rather exceptional audience. " I'United States Ambassador who has been there for more than 2 years, is still waiting to be received ».

A sign of openness

The very fact of having an interview is, in itself, an event. Eritrea remains, in fact, a mysterious country, closed to the world, nicknamed the Albania of Africa and considered by several countries as the crossing point for arms deliveries and Iranian influence in the region. The way the European diplomat was received and the length of the interview - " nearly two and a half hours! - is a sign, clarified General Joana. " Eritreans had visibly need to talk. They are under threat of UN sanctions and seek to plead their case. This country, which looks more like North Korea or Albania, is rather tired of isolation and is trying to let go to resume dialogue. “Actually, iThey seem rather concerned about the future of Sudan, which is more destabilizing for them than Somalia. he commented during a session of the EP Defense Sub-Committee.

A different language

While Eritrea is the only state in the region not to support the Transitional Federal Government of Somalia and even to condemn it in very harsh terms, this time there was " an opening according to Joana. President " told us that "The TFG is the worst government." But he also acknowledged that (the TFG) "must be involved in discussions". He criticized the role of AMISOM but did not ask for his departure " (as before). For Joana, there is an evolution here. Certainly Eritrea “has not given up hope of hunting (the Somali government). But he seems resigned to accepting it. (...) And the language very different from what the Eritrean ambassador in Brussels repeated – who was still talking about the TFG as an illegitimate government that had to be ousted, etc. »

Operation of seduction or political evolution

General Joana does not want to delude himself: " It was a big operation of seduction. You don't have to be naive. But we feel an evolution in the speech. ". " Is this manipulation or double talk? We'll have to see..."

(NVP)

(1) Read: The EU wants to get more involved in the Horn of Africa

(2) French General Joana has left active service. He notably commanded Operation Eusec (security assistance) in the Congo. His official title is still uncertain, with the arrival of the new High Representative, Catherine Ashton.