Ethiopia backs Sudan in Egypt border dispute – Middle East Monitor

May 18, 2017 at 4:21 pm | Published in: Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, News, Sudan

Map of Halayb Triangle, a territory disputed by Egypt and Sudan [Google Map]

May 18, 2017 at 4:21 pm

Ethiopia has announced its complete support for Sudan’s claims of sovereignty over the border territory of Halayeb and Shalateen, the Arab News Network reported a senior official saying.

The area, whose sovereignty is disputed between Egypt and Sudan, should however be jointly developed, Ethiopia’s deputy Foreign Minister for African Affairs, Della Medicin, said.

In a speech to the official Ethiopia News agency, Medicin said: “The Halayeb area has been controlled by Sudan since 1956 and subject to agreements made between Sudan and the former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak, the area has been held under a joint cooperation arrangement.”

If Sudan and Egypt genuinely want to develop the area; it should first be agreed that the land belongs to Sudan and then separate agreements about its usage could be made.

He also stressed historical documents clearly prove the area of land belongs to Sudan and he mentioned that Khartoum had lodged objections to the Security Council in 1958 and has renewed its claims of sovereignty each year in the hope that the matter might be raised to the International Court of Justice.

Sudan and Egypt must find an amicable solution to achieve true African integration and harmony.

The Arab News Network noted that Ethiopia’s support for Sudan has been reciprocal and follows the Sudanese President Omar Al-Bashir’s comments that any threat to Ethiopia’s security would be a direct threat to Sudan.