Describing the set of sanctions as a travesty of justice, Eritrea's Ambassador to Nigeria, Mohammed Ali Omaro, said yesterday at a briefing in Abuja that the eastern African country wants Nigeria "as an African leader and our voice at the UN Security Council to play its role as an uninfluenced arbiter in the gang-up against another progressive African country by certain powers that go everywhere and create the problem only to turn around and start to want to solve it. We believe that this is the time to say no to neo-colonialism..."

The UN had in December last year imposed a set of sanctions on Eritrea over its alleged role in Somalia and refusal to withdraw troops following a dispute with neighbouring Djibouti. The sanctions stipulate arms embargo, travel restrictions and asset freezes.

Flanked by senior embassy officials, the envoy denied the allegations that led to the sanctions.

He said: "The one on financial support of the TFG (Transitional Federal Government of Somali), it is equally tenuous. The people and government of Eritrea are struggling to achieve sustainable socio-economic development through self-reliance, hence do not have the financial ability to bankroll armed groups in Somalia... The State of Eritrea does not have any border juncture with Somalia. These accusations are further preposterous in the light of large naval and air force presence in the Red Sea -The French and the U.S. bases in Djibouti - and naval forces roaming the Indian Ocean, adjacent to Somalia, under the pretext of fighting piracy. How can Eritrea evade all these military bases and sophisticated
surveillance system to deliver arms to Somali armed groups? It is very ridiculous..."

He further: said "Within the African Union (AU) and African states, there is now zero tolerance of intimidation tactics employed by the powerful countries over the weak, because of their influence in the United Nations. Nigeria is now a non-permanent member of the Security Council. It represents Africa. Since Eritrea is an African state and a member of the AU, it looks towards Nigeria to help defend the rights of Eritrea where they have been systematically violated... All we want is that we be given a fair chance to defend our nation in the face of those false accusations. What we want is for Nigeria as an African country to play its role."

The Eritrean envoy added that Eritrea had always supported Nigeria when it comes to elections at international organisations. "It is our official policy, we are not saying this for payback, but even in sports, our support is always lining up behind Nigeria, so naturally, when we feel victimised now, we cry to the big brother."