Press Statement

John Kirby
Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs

Washington, DC

March 19, 2016

The United States welcomes the release by Eritrea of four Djiboutian prisoners, taken captive after the 2008 conflict over the shared border between the two countries.

We remain concerned for the remaining prisoners of war who have not been reunited with their families. We thank the Government of Qatar for their mediation efforts to bring about their release and this contribution to regional peace and security.

We reaffirm our strong support for Qatar’s ongoing efforts to mediate and the work of the Governments of Djibouti and Eritrea to resolve outstanding issues.