US Democrats reject Terror label on Eritrea for its Somalia role

(JT) The Democratic Party dominated US government rejected a move by Republican party officials to designate Eritrea as "State Sponsor of Terrorism." The amendment was forwarded by California Republican Ed Royce after the African Union (AU) and the InterGovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) asked the UN to sanction the Eritrean government for its support for insurgents in Somalia.

Eritrea says it is being unfairly targetted and false accusations are made up by the CIA and by the Tigrayan Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) led Ethiopian government .

The US labeling of Eritrea as "State Sponsor of Terrorism" would have brought further isolation, economic and other sanctions on Asmara. But the new Obama administration has pushed for a moderate position and for dialogue, with the new Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Johnnie Carson asking Eritrea to stop its support for radical islamists in Somalia. Several US officials including Congressman Donald Payne have also been supportive of Eritrea's policies in Somalia. read more