Leaked Cable Reveal Former Eritrean Government Official was A Saudi Spy

Abdella Jaber (right) was a spy for Saudi Arabia

Leaked Cable Reveal Former Eritrean Government Official was A Saudi Spy


Recent leaked Saudi cables reveal Mr. Abdella Jaber, the former Head of Organisational Affairs at the Peoples Front for Justice and Democracy in Eritrea, was a spy for Saudi Arabia.

According to the cable, which was translated from Arabic to Tigrinya and posted on government-owned Hadas Eritrea newspaper, Abdella informed the Saudi ambassador that he had received invitation from the United States and other Western countries to spy on Eritrea, but says he chose the Saudis because of the strong geographical, cultural, social and religious connection between Eritrea and Saudi Arabia.

Abdella discussed with the Saudi ambassador on a wide range of topics, including Eritrea's reluctance to join the Arab League, how the 2012 U.S. presidential elections can influence Eritrea, al-Shabab and Israel.

In order to make himself more relevant, Abdella played on one of Saudi's biggest fears: Israel. He stated because Eritrea has not publicly criticized Israel, that this was proof it has good relations with them. He added if Israel succeeds in having good relations with Eritrea, the situation in Eritrea will be bad for Muslims .

The Saudis appeared to have bought Abdella's hyperbole because in the second cable, which was written by former Saudi foreign minster to his superior, it says how important Eritrea is to Saudi's interest and that they were working to influence events in Eritrea.

How Riyadh would try to influence events within Eritrea [Forto?] was not mentioned in the cable.

But like most spies, karma would eventually catch up with Abdella. Thanks to informants within his circle, the double agent was arrested and put in prison for his role in the Forto incident in 2013.

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