Isaias Afwerki criticizes UN’s record in Horn of Africa, urges fresh strategy for peace after meeting UN envoy
Posted: 14 Nov 2025, 04:11
Isaias Afwerki criticizes UN’s record in Horn of Africa, urges fresh strategy for peace after meeting UN envoy
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has said that the United Nations’ role and track record in resolving conflicts in the Horn of Africa “has not been effective” and called for “a new approach” to peace efforts in the region.
According to Eritrea’s Minister of Information, President Isaias made the remarks during a meeting with Mr. Guang Cong, the new UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, at the Denden Guest House in Asmara on 12 November 2025.
In their discussions, which focused on regional developments, President Isaias underscored that the mere deployment of peacekeeping forces “without rigorous accountability modalities and holistic underlying frameworks” could not yield lasting results. He added that the shortcomings of UN-led efforts should not be blamed solely on the organization, saying “the problem essentially stems from the prevailing flawed international order.”
President Isaias also criticized regional organizations, saying their effectiveness has been “compromised” by “unwarranted external interventions,” which, he argued, have turned them into “vehicles for external agendas.”
On the situation in Sudan, President Isaias reaffirmed the “historical ties and partnership” between the two countries. He recalled that Eritrea had submitted a concept paper in 2022 proposing the establishment of a “popular governance structure based on citizenship” to support peace efforts in Sudan. However, he said the initiative “could not make much headway due to external interventions,” which he claimed have worsened the conflict.
In a brief statement to the Eritrean News Agency following the meeting, Mr. Guang Cong said his visit to Eritrea was part of his broader regional engagement. He expressed satisfaction with the “fruitful discussions” held with President Isaias, commended Eritrea’s contributions to regional peace efforts, and affirmed his readiness to work with Asmara “for the promotion of regional peace and stability.”
The meeting was attended by Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and UN Resident Coordinator in Eritrea, Nahla Valji.
Mr. Guang Cong was appointed as the UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa in July 2025.
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has said that the United Nations’ role and track record in resolving conflicts in the Horn of Africa “has not been effective” and called for “a new approach” to peace efforts in the region.
According to Eritrea’s Minister of Information, President Isaias made the remarks during a meeting with Mr. Guang Cong, the new UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa, at the Denden Guest House in Asmara on 12 November 2025.
In their discussions, which focused on regional developments, President Isaias underscored that the mere deployment of peacekeeping forces “without rigorous accountability modalities and holistic underlying frameworks” could not yield lasting results. He added that the shortcomings of UN-led efforts should not be blamed solely on the organization, saying “the problem essentially stems from the prevailing flawed international order.”
President Isaias also criticized regional organizations, saying their effectiveness has been “compromised” by “unwarranted external interventions,” which, he argued, have turned them into “vehicles for external agendas.”
On the situation in Sudan, President Isaias reaffirmed the “historical ties and partnership” between the two countries. He recalled that Eritrea had submitted a concept paper in 2022 proposing the establishment of a “popular governance structure based on citizenship” to support peace efforts in Sudan. However, he said the initiative “could not make much headway due to external interventions,” which he claimed have worsened the conflict.
In a brief statement to the Eritrean News Agency following the meeting, Mr. Guang Cong said his visit to Eritrea was part of his broader regional engagement. He expressed satisfaction with the “fruitful discussions” held with President Isaias, commended Eritrea’s contributions to regional peace efforts, and affirmed his readiness to work with Asmara “for the promotion of regional peace and stability.”
The meeting was attended by Eritrea’s Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and UN Resident Coordinator in Eritrea, Nahla Valji.
Mr. Guang Cong was appointed as the UN Special Envoy to the Horn of Africa in July 2025.