Eritrea – Lifting of UN sanctions (14 November 2018)
France welcomes the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council resolution 2444 (2018) lifting the sanctions regime imposed on Eritrea in 2009.
The Security Council’s decision lends support to the process of rapprochement currently under way in the Horn of Africa and which France backs fully, as witnessed when it invited Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to Paris on October 29. France hails the courage shown by Ethiopia and its Prime Minister, as well as the sense of responsibility demonstrated by Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki, which made it possible to end the 20-year-old conflict between their countries.
France is also pleased that with this resolution, the Security Council pledges to continue monitoring developments in the relationship between Eritrea and Djibouti in order to provide support for peace, stabilization and reconciliation in the Horn of Africa, leaving no country in the region on the sidelines with respect to the current dynamic. The Council reiterated its expectations regarding Eritrea’s intention to work with Djibouti to solve the border dispute between the two countries and the issue of Djiboutian prisoners of war. France encourages Eritrea and Djibouti to continue working to normalize their relations and stands ready to assist with that effort, together with both regional and international partners.