Eritrea consolidates its invasion and the Djiboutian public anger simmers.

(Aigaforum 04/24/08):-Acknowledging the incursion by Eritrea deep in to its territory the Djiboutian foreign minister gave briefing to journalists on 04/22/08. The minister acknowledged Eritrea to have invaded part of Djibouti’s sovereign territory and his government has been talking with the Eritrea one man government for a while now.

The foreign minister told journalists until a few days ago both Presidents Ismail Omar Guelleh and Isayas Afeworki had been in touch by phone. According to the briefing president Isayas assured President Guelleh that the area he had invaded was in Djibouti territory and he saw no conflict there. Both government heads agreed that the issue should be resolved amicably and agreed for the Djiboutian government to visit Asmara and the military officers to meet near the border. The Dijoubitian government in the hope of resolving issues with Eritrea had decided to dispatch its foreign minister to Asmara to either negotiate or use legal means to come to a resolution. It had ordered high rank military officers to meet with counter parts from Eritrea in the border.

The foreign minister told journalists that Eritrea for no apparent reason cancelled the planned Asmara meeting and Djibouti has reciprocated realizing that the Eritrean one man regime did not function as a typical government.

President Guelleh has visited the front and the crisis is developing further. Sources tell us the public anger is simmering and both sides are digging trenches. The Djiboutian public is angered at the Eritrean government and also at the Djibouti’s non-retaliatory response to the invasion. The government still intends to resolve the issue peacefully but the Eritrean government is making it hard each passing day.

Although president Isayas was rumored to have told his military that the land they are in is Djiboutian, lately the Eritrean generals are publicly saying the land is Eritrea’s and they will not withdraw.

Mean time Eritrean refugees in Djibouti are very angry and worried about their future. Many are bitter on the government of Isayas Afeworki for starting another conflict. Many believe the Eritrean government is purposely invading Djibouti to make their life miserable. The anger is simmering among Djiboutian public and the fact that Eritre a seems to be digging for the long haul may not leave mush choice to the astounded Djiboutian government. The role of the US and French in this conflict is yet to be seen but some experts we talked to believe the US and the French will avoid military confrontation, however, they may use their clout at the UN to impose sanctions.