President Salva Kiir’s envoy who has visited Asmara says the Eritrean government and its people told him they stand firmly by “the legitimate government of South Sudan in the current crisis.”

Peter Beshir Gbandi, who is also the deputy minister of foreign affairs traveled to the horn of Africa state to strengthen political ties.

On his return to Juba Airport he said “Their position is that they stand with the legitimate government of South Sudan and that this problem is solved within the context of South Sudan because it is an internal problem and whatever mediation that comes from outside should be accepted but essentially, the people of South Sudan should address as the problem that can been handled by them.”

Eritrea’s neighbor Ethiopia is taking a leading role in the mediation of South Sudan’s peace talks, since they hold the chairmanship of IGAD, the regional organization from which Eritrea was suspended in 2007.