Emir Sheikh Tamim: Eritrean stopover

Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani was in Asmara on 18 December to visit Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki. It was a short visit – less than a day – but Afwerki has been a frequent visitor to Doha. Qatar has maintained good relations with Eritrea since the late 1990s. Doha is a major investor and aid donor, and is sometimes cited as one of Eritrea’s few allies. These relations have caused diplomatic tensions with Ethiopia in the past; in 2008, Ethiopia broke off ties, accusing Doha of supporting extremism in the Horn of Africa.