Eritrean President's Son Marries Longtime Girlfriend

February 18, 2012, 9:11 pm

≫ Next: Dr. Lisa Masterson Visits Eritrea

President Isaias Afwerki's Son Marries Longtime Girlfriend

Feb. 18, 2012 (ASMARA) — Abraham Isaias, the son of Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki (PIA), got married earlier this month with his longtime girlfriend.

The small wedding ceremony was held in Asmara on the weekend of February 3rd and 4th and was attended by Abraham's immediate family, friends and distinguished guests.

After completing his national service requirements, the 28-year-old Abraham finished aeronautical Engineering in Mai-Nefhi. His younger sister, Elsa, completed her national service duties in Sawa and currently works for ERI-TV.

The Afwerki Family

No online image is currently available of Abraham or his recent wedding. The president's family does not participate in politics and are seen in a favorable light for their modest lifestyles and contributions.

It is widely known the first lady, Saba Haile, takes public transportation to and from work and spends much of her free time assisting local charities.

Eritrean Naming Process

Eritrean traditions stipulates the wife keeps her last name, while their children must adopt the husband's first name as their surname.

The Afwerki Family

Name	Relation	Age
Isaias Afwerki	Father	66
Saba Haile	Mother	59
Abraham Isaias	Son	28
Elsa Isaias	Daughter	19
Berhane Isaias	Son	Unknown

*Note: this page was edited on March 20th - corrected name of PIA's daughter and the incorrect information of Abraham attending his university studies abroad. As more info of the wedding comes out, this page will be updated. If you have information to add to this story or have photos of the wedding ceremony, please contact the editor: MadoteEritrea@gmail.com

The following photos are of the Afwerki family

Saba Haile receiving an award in U.A.E.

19-year-old Elsa Isaias with her father at Sawa Festival

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Dr. Lisa Masterson Visits Eritrea

February 24, 2012, 8:25 pm

≫ Next: Ethiopia is the aggressor against Eritrea: Kenyan Diplomat

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Dr. Lisa Masterson from the TV series "The Doctors" visits Eritrea

Feb. 24, 2012 (ASMARA) — Dr. Lisa Masterson, a co-host of the Emmy Award-winning TV series “The Doctors,” visited Eritrea this week to work with local physicians and clinics.

In an interview held with Erina, Dr. Masterson expressed appreciation for the leading roles health professionals have been playing in significantly reducing maternal and child mortality rates in Eritrea.

Emphasizing the importance of education towards developing adequate health services, Dr. Masterson congratulated the recent Orotta School of General Medicine and Dentistry graduates and encouraged further investments and support for Eritrean medical students.

In striving to assist developing nations with proper maternal health facilities, Dr. Masterson has established a charity, Maternal Fetal Care International, and funded the first sub-Saharan Africa obstetrics and gynecology residency program in Eritrea.

Since winning independence in 1991, Eritrea has been one of the top health performing nations in sub-Sahara Africa. According to the United Nations Development Progamme (UNDP) Eritrea is one of four African countries on track to meet it's Millennium Development Goal 5 for Maternal Health.

Maternal Mortality (per 100,000 births)

Country	1991	2008	Percent
Eritrea	1400	280	80% drop
Ethiopia	900	470	52% drop
Sudan	830	750	9% drop
Somalia	Unknown	1200	N/A
*2008 is the latest data available
Source: UNDP

Dr. Lisa Masterson visits Eritrea

Eritrean Doctor graduates from the Orotta School of General Medicine and Dentistry

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Ethiopia is the aggressor against Eritrea: Kenyan Diplomat

March 17, 2012, 5:25 am

≫ Next: Latest Development Projects in Eritrea

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Kenyan Foreign Policy has been 'hijacked' by Ethiopia says Kenyan politician

March 17, 2012 (ASMARA) — In an interview with Kenyan media, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya, Mr. Farah Maalim, disclosed his country's policy towards Eritrea is based on appeasing Ethiopia and cautioned this position is not in Kenya's interest.

"Eritrea has had a war with Ethiopia, an issue that has gone to the international court, and determined by the international court, which actually said Ethiopia is illegally occupying Eritrean lands. They (Ethiopia) are the aggressors", said Maalim.

As members of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) region, Maalim noted the role of Kenya should be to bring Eritrea and Ethiopia to settle their dispute peacefully and maintain neutrality. However, he says his country has taken the side of Ethiopia and that this is a 'mistake' on Kenya's part.

"If you start taking sides, it becomes apparently clear and an open secret that we are doing the bidding for Ethiopia. It's like our foreign policy has been hijacked as far as the region is concerned by Ethiopia. There is no IGAD, IGAD is Ethiopia", the Deputy Speaker candidly explained.

In highlighting the extent Kenya has went to do the bidding of Ethiopia, he pointed to allegations made by Kenyan officials last November of Eritrea sending three plane-loads of arms to Baidoa, Somalia to arm al-Shabab, a claim later found to be completely fabricated by the UN monitoring group.

Mr. Maalim went on to add his nation is dancing to the tunes of Ethiopia and this hostile approach it has adopted against Eritrea will have severe consequences for his country if the Red Sea State were to return the favor.

"We're dancing to their tunes. And they (Eritreans) can only take so much. The day they decide to pay us back in kind, God forbid, God forbid. I don't want to even imagine that", warned Maalim.

Eritrean mural - Photo: DJ Adulis 'Chedo' Mokanan

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Latest Development Projects in Eritrea

April 2, 2012, 1:15 am

≫ Next: Bruck Tekle: Paving the way for Eritrean Male Models

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The following are some of the development projects in Eritrea

A new residential building has been constructed by the Homib Construction Company in Teseney, Eritrea. Over the next few years, the Government of Eritrea (GoE) aims to urbanize the town by focusing on housing and commercial centers. Inline with this endeavor, the Teseney-based construction company has been active in developing a wide range of infrastructure projects that include construction of a modern Sug-She'ib trade center, bridges, walls, roads, dams and schools in Teseney and the areas surrounding it.

Starting April 17th, Eritrean Airlines will provide direct flights from Frankfurt to Asmara. Using a newly leased Airbus 319, the flights will occur three times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. In the coming months, plans are already in store to modernize Amsara International Airport, expand routes and adding more planes to the fleet. Eritrean Airlines now operates four airplanes: two Airbus A320s, Airbus A319, and a Boeing 767 ("Queen Bee").

Eritrean Airlines and airport to be expanded and developed

New commercial or municipal building in Massawa's mainland. Further details will be given as they are provided.

New municipal building in Massawa. Photo Credit: Jonathan Okbamichael

New hotel development near the Massawan beach. Further details will be given as they are provided.

Hotel development near Massawa - Photo credit: Jonathan Okbamichael

Asmara Public Library has recently been expanded and refurbished with improved equipment and faster Internet service, according to state media. During the inauguration of Asmara Public Library, the Administrator of the central region, Mr. Kahsai Gebrehiwet, disclosed he is working on allocating enough funds to expand and renovate other libraries in the capital.

Expansion and Renovation of Asmara Public Library Completed

At the request of the Ministry of Health, the Anberbeb Share Company imported 17 new ambulances. Costing 15 million Nakfa (1 million USD), the mid-sized ambulances are fitted with a defibrillator, stretcher, suction unit and a number of other medical equipment to meet the needs of patiences. It is important to note that all ambulance services and medical expenses are covered by the GoE.

17 new ambulances imported

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Bruck Tekle: Paving the way for Eritrean Male Models

April 5, 2012, 2:55 pm

≫ Next: Araia Tesfamariam: In search of my Eritrean roots

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Bruck Tekle: Paving the way for Eritrean Male Models

When it comes to representing Eritrea in the competitive modeling world, Eritrean ladies have held a firm monopoly over this industry. From up-and-coming talents like Grace Mahary to the established model-turned-actress Zeudi Araya, Eritrean females continue to make their presence felt.

Yet, that same presence isn't being matched by their male counterparts. The biggest hurdles facing guys is they just don't get the respect, plaudits and financial incentives as their female partners get. In fact, a 2008 study conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics reveled women working full-time in the modeling industry earned 80% of what men earned.^[1]

Moreover, outdated social conditioning may be playing a role. For instance, while there are a number of beauty and fashion pageants dedicated for women in Eritrea, there are none for the guys. As far as Eritrean cultures are concerned, it may seem as if fashion and modeling are female activities and one that males need not apply.

Despite these social challenges, young Eritreans in the diaspora are paving the way in reversing these trends. One Eritrean taking a leading role by example is a New York City resident by the name of Bruck Tekle. Born in Krefeld, Germany to Tzehainesh Gebreselassie and Tewolde Tekle, Bruck has been featured on a number of magazine and fashion runways, with his latest performance coming in two weeks ago at BET's rip the runway 2012.

Yet even Bruck was not looking to become a model. The 29-year-old moved to New York with basketball ambitions. After failing to make a team, someone simply discovered him and the rest is history.

With Bruck's successful modeling career gaining momentum, more Eritrean guys may start taken modeling a bit more seriously or at the very least, give it a shot.

Bruck Tekle - PhotoCredit: sophotography

Eritrean model Bruck Tekle

Bruck Tekle at BET's rip the runway 2012

_________________________

[1] Bureau of Labor Statistics, via dailyfiance, 2008

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Araia Tesfamariam: In search of my Eritrean roots

April 16, 2012, 2:41 pm

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In search of my Eritrean roots

Written by Araia Tesfamariam

Knowledge of self, understanding who you are and where you come from, is the anchor that can keep you from going spiritually adrift in a world consciousness that has become increasingly self destructive. There is stability in that self-awareness that can't be taken away from you once you have it. But for me, an African-American kid from Dayton, Ohio, I almost did lose it – and had to search for decades to get it back.

My name is Araia Tesfamariam and I am a half Eritrean, half African-American film maker living in Chicago, IL. My mother, who is Africa-American, married my father, Araia Tesfamariam in 1977. He died in a car accident in March of 1978, about 3 months before I was born. What you have to understand is this tragedy occurred long before there was an Eritrean community in every major metropolitan area in North America. As a small child, I was told who my father was, where he was from and that there was a war for independence taking place. My mother remarried when I was two and I was raised in a multicultural military family. There were no Eritreans any where near where I lived – not like there is today. So learning Tigrinya, the music, the dances, the food, all the cultural nuances you take for granted were not available to me as I was growing up. I was completely disconnected from my people.

The only reason I had any interest in learning about my people and culture as I matured, was due to my mother constantly reminding me I was Eritrean and sharing what little she knew about my father's history. I have always wanted to go to Eritrea, and after making contact with my father's relatives in the States a few years ago (that reconnection is a story in itself) I decided I would go to Asmara and the Adi this summer to meet my family there and see the people who always knew about me, even if I didn't know about them. Since I have been working in TV production for 12 years, it only made sense to me that I document this life changing experience on film.

This film is called “Big Araia”, which is how my mother used to refer to my late father since she gave me his same name. This is a story about the quest for a reconnection with my Eritrean family, my culture, and my country. I am blessed to be able to do what many African-Americans dream of doing - reach out and touch their own African history. This movie is about finding what was taken from me and never letting it go again. I will be filming in Asmara, Keren, Segeneti, Massawa, and a number of other locations. This is a story that appeals to many people in the African diaspora because a lot of us have a relative that left home to for a better opportunity or safety.... and never came back. While every story may not have a happy ending, this one does. I am going home, to see my people.

This is a moment I want to share with every one. I am putting together a very experienced film crew to capture this whole experience. However, film production is very expensive, and I need the help of the community to get this movie made. I have a website up that lets me raise money by accepting small donations from a large group of people. For instance; if 1000 Eritreans in the US donated $25 to this film, that would give this film a big boost in the quest to pay for the film crew and editing costs. It's a great way to get donations with out any one person having to donate a large sum of money.

Please watch the promotional video at BigAraia. You can also make your on line donations at that site if you would like to support the film. I only have 12 days left and I would really appreciate the help of the Eritrean community in the making of this film. If you have any questions, I will answer them as best as I can at araia1906@gmail.com. Thank you and God bless.

Araia Tesfamariam's parents

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Recap of the 8th Annual YPFDJ Conference and Related Events

April 22, 2012, 12:05 pm

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Recap of the 8th Annual YPFDJ Conference and related events

April 22, 2012 (ASMARA) — Nearly eight hundred Eritrean delegates attended the 8th annual Young Peoples Front for Democracy and Justice (YPFDJ) conference in Sweden.

The gathering was held from April 6th-9th and covered three main topics: strengniting the movement, political development and services within Eritrea.

After the successful conference had concluded, an after party for Eritrean youths was organized by Club Shukorina in Stockholm.

Choreographed disturbances

During the conference, a small group comprising mostly of middle-aged men were seeking to enter the private meeting to protest. After they were denied entrance, they began throwing rocks at police officers.

Feeling threatened by their violent actions, Swedish police fired a warning shot in the air which sent the small group fleeing in all directions.

“They took the opportunity to throw stones with no other motive than to cause trouble,” said police spokeswoman Marie-Louise Nilsson.

Many of the troublemakers were said to be organized and transported by the Swedish tabloid Magazine Expressen, which is accused of slander against Swedish-Eritreans and organizing small groups to cause disturbances wherever they congregate.

Legal action against Expressen

After the conference concluded, over 300 Swedish-Eritreans and concerned Swedish citizens filed a police report against Expressen, accusing the tabloid magazine of defamation, hate speech and insulting Swedish-Eritreans.

In a similar cause, on April 14th, hundreds of demonstrators came together to protest one-sided and demonizing coverage of Eritrea and Swedish-Eritreans by Expressen magazine and other media agencies in Stockholm.

Swedish government rejects ban on 2% voluntary tax

After lengthy deliberations over the voluntary 2% Development and Rehabilitation tax, wrongly labeled as diaspora tax for Eritreans, the Swedish parliament decided to reject legislation that was intended to prevent Swedish-Eritreans from taking part in it.

The bizarre heightened interest over the voluntary 2% Development and Rehabilitation tax, which was first adopted in 1994, is widely regarded as an effort being spearheaded by the Ethiopian government in its continued efforts to economically strangle Eritrean citizens living in Eritrea.

The following photos are of the conference 8th annual YPFDJ conference

8th Annual YPFDJ conference - Photo: MEDIA YPFDJ

Sammy showing his tattoo of the Eritrean national anthem at the conference

8th Annual YPFDJ conference - Photo: MEDIA YPFDJ

For more photos of the 8th annual YPFDJ conference, visit the following links: |Photos 1 | Photos 2 | Photos 3| - To view photos of the after party at Club Shukorina, visit here

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President Isaias Afwerki appears on TV In robust health

April 28, 2012, 3:20 pm

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President Isaias Afwerki appears on state TV shattering opposition claims of his death

April 28, 2012 (ASMARA) — President Isaias Afwerki appeared on state TV today, ending a weeklong rumor by Eritrean opposition websites that the 66-year-old former guerrilla fighter had passed away.

In an interview conducted with ERI-TV, President Isaias said, “I am lucky; I enjoy robust health. The speculated ill-health is only in the minds of the authors of such a baseless rumor.”

Emphasizing the rumors of his death were part of a coordinated effort to destabilize Eritrea by interest seeking groups, the president reminded Eritrean citizens to remain skeptical and not fall prey to websites that continue to spread misinformation.

Long dismissed by the Eritrean diaspora as being the mouthpieces of Zenawi's administration, a few Eritrean opposition websites had gained the attention of western media of late, despite their creditably being called into question.

With the appearance of the president on national TV, Ethiopian-funded Eritrean opposition websites took another major blow to their creditably, after they falsely reported President Isaias Afwerki had died last Sunday from liver ailments.

President Isaias Afwerki remains in good health

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Eritrea's Economy to grow by 7.5 percent in 2012 - IMF

May 8, 2012, 2:19 pm

≫ Next: Seattle Mayor Declares May 24 as a day of celebration

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IMF forecasts 7.5 percent economic growth for Eritrea in 2012

May 8, 2012 (ASMARA) — Eritrea's economy is projected to grow by 7.5 percent in 2012, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Driven largely by an increase in major infrastructure development, solid agriculture output and mineral exports, forecasts taken from World Economic Outlook (WEO) released by the IMF on April 17, 2012, reveal Eritrea will register the fastest-growing economy in East Africa this year.

Despite high fuel prices and some macroeconomic imbalances hindering the economy, the Washington-based body said Eritrea's consumer prices will decline from 13.2 percent in 2011 to 12.3 percent this year.

After coming off of a red-hot 17 percent economic growth last year, the Red Sea state aims for 7 to 10 percent annual GDP growth levels between the years of 2012-2015. With the Zara and Koka gold mines both set for production in late 2013, Eritrea's economy will likely expand by double-digit figures next year.

Regionally, the report said Sudan's economy will decline by 7.3% due to South Sudan gaining independence in July and taking with it around 75 percent of the formerly united Sudan’s oil outputs.

Regional GDP Growth Percentages

Nations	2010	2011	2012
Eritrea	6.0%	17%	7.5%
Ethiopia	8.0%	7.5%	5.0%
Sudan	4.5%	-3.9%	-7.3%
Djibouti	3.5%	4.5%	4.8%
Source(s): EIU, IMF, RB

Eritrea heading on the right economic path

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Seattle Mayor Declares May 24 as a day of celebration

May 9, 2012, 6:55 am

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Seattle Mayor declares May 24 as a day of celebration in honor of Eritrean independence day

May 9, 2012 (ASMARA) — Michael McGinn, the Mayor of Seattle, proclaimed his city will officially recognize May 24, 2012, as a day of celebration by all citizens in honor of Eritrean independence day.

Recognizing the significance of May 24 to his Eritrean constituents, the first-term mayor signed legal documents last Monday making May 24 a day of celebration to honor Eritrean independence day and called on Seattle citizens of all background to join in on the festivities.

With slightly over 5,000 Eritreans calling the Emerald city home, Seattle, after Washington, D.C. and Oakland, has the highest number of Eritreans living in the United States.

This year's Eritrean independence celebrations in Seattle will begin with the park festivities at Volunteer Park on May 26, while the party will be held at the Jumbo Hall on Rainier Ave S on May 27.

The following is a copy of Mayor McGinn's Proclamation.

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, on May 24, 1991, Eritreans around the world received the good news that had been decades in the waiting: Eritrea had become an independent nation; and

WHEREAS, Over 20 years later, pride in the Eritrean culture resonates across generations, inspiring even children who have never set foot in Eritrea to share their culture--through dance, poetry, and art--with their communities in the US; and

WHEREAS, Seattle is a community that has become home to many Eritreans whose contributions have inspired a cultural exchange between people of all different backgrounds; and

WHEREAS, Celebrations of Eritrea's independence will take place all day Saturday May 26, 2012 at Voluneteer Park in Seattle all are welcome to attend;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Mike McGinn, Mayor of the City of Seattle,
Do hereby proclaim May 24, 2012 as

ERITREAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

In the City of Seattle, and ask residents of all backgrounds to celebrate accordingly.

Mike McGinn
Mayor

Patriotic Eritreans Photo: Mehary Tesfagiorgis

Seattle Mayor honors Eritrean independence day

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn

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GKP: Eritrea's First Martial Arts System

June 20, 2012, 11:27 pm

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GKP - Eritrea's first professional combat system

Simohon Giaquinto Tuwoldè is a martial arts expert and the founder who developed a sophisticated Eritrean fighting system called GKP. Launched in early 2011, GKP fuses various traditional and modern Eritrean fighting methods into an all-defense purpose system that can be utilized by both civilian and law enforcement

What separates GKP from other established combat systems is the great emphasis it puts on preventive measures. By extensively teaching his students the psychological aspects of combat, as well as techniques to defuse altercations, GKP aims to promote tolerance and self-control, even during difficult situations.

Based in Cagliari, Italy, GKP features different levels of courses for men and women between the ages of 15-65. It has a minimum duration 60 hours and a maximum of 8 years for mastery. The techniques taught mostly focus on real-life scenario threats and do not require special physical skills from their students.

With the Government of Eritrea recently launching its "DEAIMS" program, an initiative that envisions to use Eritrean diaspora expertise domestically, this could be a great opportunity for GKP to expand, by teaching local police forces and army divisions a modern, professional and an Eritrean inspired fighting system.

Simohon was born in Genoa, Italy on December 26, 1981 to an Eritrean father and Italian mother. His late father, Alex Giaquinto, was a respected former Eritrean guerrilla fighter during the independence struggle and a master martial arts expert. Since early childhood, he introduced Simohon to a number of fighting techniques, including traditional Eritrean fighting methods that he would later use to develop GKP.

Grandmaster Simohon standing next to his numerous martial arts certificates

Simohon Giaquinto, the founder of GKP

Alex Giaquinto (Simohon's father) - 1951-2011 R.I.P.
He was a former Eritrean freedom fighter and a master martial arts expert

Simohon introduces GKP to Eritreans in Asmara

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More than two thousand Eritrean Students Graduate

July 7, 2012, 11:58 pm

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More than two thousand Eritrean Students graduate

July 7, 2012 (ASMARA) — More than two thousand Eritrean students graduated from a number of colleges and technical schools over the passed few weeks, according to the Ministry of Information.

The students received their degrees and diplomas from various fields, including teaching, animal science, agro-mechanics, nursing, radiology, anesthesia, laboratory, dentistry, pharmacy, mechanical engineering, among others.

“Our mission is to provide competent health sciences specialists, who are equipped with the foundation knowledge, professional skills, attitudes and ethical principles so that they can provide optimum healthcare to the people of Eritrea,” said Zerabruk Tesfamariam, Acting Dean of Asmara College of Health Sciences.

Higher Institutional Education in Eritrea

Cognizant of education as fundamental prerequisite to the nation-building process, the Government of Eritrea, in collaboration with partners, began lengthy deliberations in 2002 on the types of Institutions of Higher Education that serves the country's socioeconomic needs.

As a result of their discussions, the government introduced a total of seven colleges: Institute of Technology, Hamelmallo Agricultural College, College of Health Sciences, Orotta School of Medicine, College of Marine Sciences and Technology, College of Business and Economics, and College of Arts and Social Sciences.

Located in different parts of the country and offering university level programs, the goal is to turn these schools into full-fledged universities within this decade. In order to coordinate their activities, a Provisional Committee for the Coordination of Higher Education was established.in October 2006.

Currently, the government offers free primary, secondary and tertiary levels of schooling. The state also provides free meals and covers dormitory expenses for students perusing higher education. Consequently, the government spends 45 percent of its annual budget on education; one of the highest figures in Africa.

Eritrean Graduation Gown - Photo credit: Ginbar Ketema

College of Health and Science Graduates

Graduation Ceremony

Eritrean college students studying

College of Arts and Social Sciences in Adi Keih

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Eritrea to meet six of eight Millennium Development Goals

July 8, 2012, 1:34 am

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Eritrea is on track to achieve six of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals

July 8, 2012 (ASMARA) — Eritrea is on pace to achieve six of the eight UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by the target date of 2015, according to the London-based think tank, Africa Research Institute^[1] and the United Nations Development Programme.^[2]

The six MDGs Eritrea is on track in achieving are from MDG 2-7: Universal Primary Education, Gender Equality and Empowering Women, Reducing Child Mortality, Improvement of Maternal Health, Combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Disease and Ensuring Environmental Sustainability.

Since the MDGs were introduced in late 2000, reports indicate Eritrea has reduced its maternal mortality rates by 69 percent, declined child mortality levels under five by 57 percent, slashed HIV prevalence levels by 49 percent, and reduced Malaria infections by 90 percent.

In striving to provide adequate and cost-effective health service, Dr. Mismay Gebrehiwet, an advisor to the Ministry of Health, disclosed Eritrea has started producing its own antiviral drugs to combat HIV/AIDs.

"The government is committed to provide the drug free of charge to all HIV infected persons."^[3], Dr. Gebrehiwet said in an interview with ERI-TV.

The MDGs are a comprehensive framework endorsed by 189 countries at the UN Millennium Summit in September of 2000. They were introduced as a road map for developing nations to reduce poverty, hunger, ill-health, improving education, and environmental sustainability by 2015.

Eritrea	Millennium Development Goals	Progress
MDG 1	Eradicate Extreme Hunger and Poverty	Off Track ✗
MDG 2	Achieve Universal Primary Education	On Track ✓
MDG 3	Promote Gender Equality & Empower Women	On Track ✓
MDG 4	Reduce Child Mortality	On Track ✓
MDG 5	Improve Maternal Health	On Track ✓
MDG 6	Combat HIV/AIDS, Malaria & other Disease	On Track ✓
MDG 7	Ensure Environmental Sustainability	On Track ✓
MDG 8	Develop a Global Partnership for Development	Off Track ✗
Sources: Africa Research Institute, UNDP, Dr. Gibrehiwet

______________________________________________

Notes:

^[1] Princes’ Progress: Reconstruction and authority in Eritrea and Rwanda, Africa Research Institute, March 2011, page 3

^[2] On page 16 of Eritrea's comprehensive response to the Somalia and Eritrea Monitoring Group, a senior government official; citing UNDP officials, said Eritrea is on track to achieve six of the eight MDGs

^[3] Dr. Mismay Gebrehiwet's interview with ERI-TV, FEB 15, 2012, via Eastafro.com

______________________________________________

Eritrea is one of the few sub-Sahara African nations on track
to meet most of its Millennium Development Goals

Eritrean Nurse in Asmara

Young pharmacist working at Azel Pharmaceutical company in Keren

Eritrea has the highest life expectancy in mainland sub-Sahara Africa

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Eritrea to Purchase US$61 Million In Machinery

July 29, 2012, 5:51 am

≫ Next: Ethiopian Dictator Meles Zenawi dies at the age of 57

≪ Previous: Eritrea to meet six of eight Millennium Development Goals

Eritrea to purchase US$61 million in machinery

July 29, 2012 (ASMARA) — The Eritrean Government signed two new contracts with China SFECO Group last week, according to the Shanghai-based company.

The agreements were signed in Bejing by Eritrea's Ambassador to China, Mr. Tseggei Tesfazion and vice president of SFECO Group, Mr. Zheng Yufeng.

Under the terms of the contract, SFECO will supply Eritrea with various machinery in the fields of agriculture, mining, transport and infrastructure; worth US$61.54 million. The company will also expand Hirgigo Power Plant.

In a similar purchase from SFECO, Eritrea had bought US$100 million worth of machinery that were delivered through the port city of Massawa last year.

The Chinese company has also been active in Eritrea's mining industry. In late 2011, Australian mining company Chalice sold its existing 60 percent share in the Zara Project to SFECO.

The transaction has SFEOC paying Chalice US$80 million in cash plus an additional sum of up to US$20 million for the area adjacent to the Koka deposit. The deal is expected to be finalized by August 26 of this year.

Hirgigo Power Plant to be expanded - the plant was inaugurated in 2003

New resorts being built on the Dahlak Archipelago

Wind turbine near Assab

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Ethiopian Dictator Meles Zenawi dies at the age of 57

August 20, 2012, 9:36 pm

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Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57

August 21, 2012 — Ethiopian dictator Meles Zenawi has died at the age of 57, state-owned TV officially announced on its 7am morning news bulletin.

Amid weeks of speculation about his failing health, the longtime ruling premier died abroad at 11:40PM local time from an infection, officials revealed.

“Prime Minister Zenawi suddenly passed away last night. Meles was recovering in a hospital overseas for the past two months but died of a sudden infection at 11:40,” state media said.

The government announced Hailemariam Desalegne, his handpicked Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, has been sworn in as the acting Prime Minister.

Ethiopia's Communications Minister, Bereket Simon, said Meles has been battling an aliment for a year but declined to specify the nature of his illness or where he died. For the time being, he says the country will not change its policy.

During a news briefing with the press today, European Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly said Meles has died Monday night in Brussels, confirming opposition claims that the ailing premier was being hospitalized in Belgium.

Reports indicate his wife, Azeb Mesfin, and their three children, were by his side when Meles passed away.

Kassa Tekeleberhan, speaker of the house of the Federation, informed the press that Meles' body will arrive in Addis at 9pm local time. The government has established a committee with organizing his funeral service.

Meanwhile, in the Northern Tigrayan town of Mekele, city residents are reportedly in complete shock of Meles' demise. Witnesses say civil servants cannot run their routine as fear and uncertainty grips the city.

More details coming soon.

Meles Zenawi dies at the age of 57

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Meles Zenawi's Body Arrives in Ethiopia

August 22, 2012, 1:59 am

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August 22, 2012 —Meles Zenawi's body landed in Bole Airport at around 10:00pm local time, where a large crowd of senior officials, military officers, priests and supporters gathered to pay tribute to the late prime minister.

The coffin of Meles was wrapped with the Ethiopian flag and escorted to the National Palace through congested traffic by a dozen caravan of SUVs.

Thousands of supporters held candles and lined up the procession route in Addis Ababa to mourn in an ostentatious display of grief, that some observers noted, eerily resembled that of North Korean funeral procession.

Senior officials, including the acting Prime Minister, Hailemariam Desalegn, were visibly seen weeping for their late comrade. Meles' wife, Azeb Mesfin, wailed and ran around in distress before she was restrained by her 27-year-old daughter, Semhal Meles.

The former guerrilla fighter and long-ruling despot was receiving treatment from an unspecified illness in Brussels, before succumbing to an infection and passing away on Monday night, state-run media reported.

Government officials said they were in frequent talks with Meles until five days ago, when his health rapidly deteriorated and it became apparent that he was no longer going to survive.

In the coming days, the ruling party plans to gather to decide who the deputy PM and foreign minister will be; both positions that were formerly held by the acting PM.

Semhal Meles (L), Azeb Mesfin (C) and Marda Meles
mourning the loss of Meles Zenawi. Semhal and Marda are Meles'
daughters, while Azeb is his wife.

Azeb Mesfin being restrained by her daughters Marda and Semhal Meles.

Bereket Simon, Ethiopia's Communication Minister, weeps over
his comrades demise.

Meles Zenawi's coffin covered with the Ethiopian flag in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - 10-21-2012

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Nipsey Hussle: I want to go back to Eritrea next summer

September 24, 2012, 1:19 pm

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September 24, 2012 — Rapper Ermias Asghedom, better known to his fans by his stage name of Nipsey Hussle, says he wants to visit Eritrea and perform next summer.

"I want to go back this summer. I don't know if I'll be able to but I'd like to. And when I go back, Hell yea I'd like to perform! Most definitely," said Ermias in a video interview with Eritrean media.

The California native, whose father hails from the Red Sea State, last visited the country in the summer of 2004, where he met with several members of his family for the first time.

"I went back home in 2004 and it's 2012, so that's 8 years ago. I'm due back for another trip. Yea, I went to Sawa. Hell yea, f'sho! That was cool, that was a great experience," he said.

The 27-year-old rap star, who also models, acts, and owns his own record label, is known to support up-and-coming Eritrean musicians and is said to frequent Eritrean festivals in the U.S.

Rapper Nipsey Hussle (Ermias Asghedom) -image: Dr. Jays

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Construction on Dahlak Resort Nearing Completion

October 12, 2012, 4:03 am

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The luxurious Dahlak resort, which is financed by Qatari Dirar, is set to be in operation within the immediate future. The resort is part of a grander master plan the Government of Eritrea envisions for the island that will include five high-end resort villages connected by a central core town.

Construction of the five-star resort began in 2007 by Kuwait First Logistic Company (KFLC), a firm appointed by Qatari Diar, while the engineering supervision task was awarded to EDESSA group, a Lebanon-based company that's working on several projects in Eritrea.

Following a labor dispute in 2008 by KFLC, all construction on the island stopped and their contract with Qatari Diar was terminated. Construction resumed in early 2009, after Qatari Diar signed a joint venture agreement with the French construction company, VINCI.

The 48 million dollar resort features 2 high luxury 850m² villas with swimming pools, 50 bungalows, a club house, roads, network utilities, landscaping, helipad, desalination plant, staff housing, kitchen, laundry and other amenities.

Dahlak resort

Dahlak Kebir's 5-star resort

Dahlak resort helipad

A map showcasing Dahlak Kebir's Master Plan locations

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Eritrea: A Nation in Isolation Documentary

October 25, 2012, 8:47 am

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Eritrea: A Nation in Isolation Documentary

Eritrea: a nation in isolation is a documentary that probes into the country's numerous achievements made in the health, economic and infrastructure sectors. Hosted by award-winning journalist Afshin Rattansi, Press TV was given an exclusive interview with President Isaias Afwerki and an unsupervised tour of the country to base their own conclusions.

Minor errors in the documentary:

At 1:59 into the video, it shows footage of the Eritrean revolution (1961-1991), while a small caption wrongly describes it as being from the border war between 1998-2000.

At 2:20, Rattansi inaccurately states the border war claimed the lives of 70,000 Eritreans out of a population of 4 million. According to official figures, 19,000 Eritrean soldiers died during Ethiopia's invasion from 1998-2000.

At 8:34, the host misquotes the World Health Organization (WHO) when he says Ethiopia's life expectancy is at 59. According to the WHO, Ethiopia's life expectancy is at 54.

Memorable quotes in the documentary:

At 4:17, Rattansi asks students why does Eritrea receive such bad press in the media, to which one student replied, "Most countries hate Eritrea." Rattansi asks why, the smiling student responds with, "maybe because they are jealous."

At 7:20, PIA says: "Waiting for handouts for years cripples a community.Once communities are crippled, they are so dependent it becomes an addiction. Governments are subsidized because of these food aid and so-called humanitarian aid. They are not engaged in real productive activities. They don't mobilize their own population. It's slavery, it's poverty, it's famine. You're sometimes being used for their PR exercises."

At 10:20, PIA says: "Do we need aid? We can't live with aid. We don't need aid. So we have to have an alternative. We need to develop our own capabilities. We need to go through a phase where we have to invest in a sustainable economy. We have made our choice from day one."

Overall thoughts on the documentary:

Aside from the host's incorrect description of Eritrea as being in isolation, which was likely intended to grab the viewers attention more than anything, the documentary does give an insightful, balanced and entertaining perspective of a country that has been unfairly targeted for over a decade by successive U.S. administrations.

Despite bad press, Eritrea continues to lead mainland sub-Sahara Africa in
most of the important socioeconomic indicators.

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Eritrea set to win a third consecutive African cycling championship

November 7, 2012, 4:52 pm

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November 7, 2012 — Eritrea won the Team Time Trial with a time of 51 minutes and 49 seconds, during the first event at the African Continental Championship (ACC) held in Burkina Faso.

The victorious Red Sea cycling team featured some of Eritrea's top riders, including Daniel Teklehaimanot, Frekalsi Debesai, Jani Tewolde and Natnael Berhane.

A total of sixteen African nations participated in today's competition, which covered four laps around Ouaga 2000 (42.4 miles), a district within the capital, Ouagadougou.

Second place went to Tunisia's cycling team, which finished with 51 minutes and 9 seconds, while longtime Eritrean cycling rivals, Algeria, finished third, with a time of 53 minutes and 32 seconds.

Following two consecutive victories in previous ACC held in Rwanda and Eritrea in 2010 and 2011, the Eritrean cycling team are seen as the clear favorites to win this year's competition.

ACC Team Time Trial Results for November 7.
Distance: 42.4 miles ( 68.2 km)
Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso