Madote

Abiy Ahmed Photographer: Michel Euler/AFP via Getty Images

Ethiopia’s New Leaders Are Clearing House

By Nizar Manek | Bloomberg

Ethiopia’s new leaders are clearing house as the nation’s political transformation gathers pace. Among the targets: officials at a military-linked conglomerate once in charge of building Africa’s biggest hydro power plant, former spy chiefs and northern and eastern elites.

Touting a crackdown on the “cancer” of corruption and rights abuses, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has vowed to usher in greater accountability and political freedom for the continent’s second-most populous nation. His recent confrontation with military officers shows not everyone may welcome the shakeup.

“Like in the security sector, a purge is being cascaded into the regions,” said Musa Adem, an independent political analyst based in Jijiga, the capital of Somali regional state in the east. Abiy last month said his reforms would extend from the federal level into Ethiopia’s nine regional states.

Dozens of current and former officials from the National Intelligence & Security Service have been arrested this month on accusations including torture, extrajudicial killings and running secret prisons in the capital, Addis Ababa.

Also detained are dozens of officials from Metals & Engineering Corp., whose contract to build the $6.4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam and power plant was revoked in August. The company’s ex-director-general is accused of breaking United Nations arms embargoes on Somalia and Iran and misusing billions of dollars from the dam, sugar and fertilizer projects. None of the arrested have been charged; evidence-gathering is ongoing.

Redistributing Power

Abiy, who replaced Hailemariam Desalegn as premier in April after three years of protests, is spearheading a redistribution of power across Ethiopia, under the tight grip of the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front for a quarter-century and where the army and economic interests have become deeply entwined.

There have been tensions with the military; about 250 officers marched on Abiy’s office last month, dispersing after what state media said was a pay dispute was resolved. The government later said army “plotters” were being arrested, and Abiy told parliament that salary grievances were “only a cover story.”

Muddled Monopoly

As he pledges multi-party democracy, Abiy’s also said the ruling parties and government are separate entities, muddying the EPRDF’s monopoly on power that stretches to Ethiopia’s remotest villages.

Change is already afoot in some of Ethiopia’s nine ethnically based states, each ruled by a patchwork of entrenched ruling parties under the federal coalition. There have been moves to replace the presidents and ruling-party leaders of states such as Gambella and Harar, while in Afar state veteran party officials agreed to new leadership taking over, according to Abiy’s office.

Recent events in Somali regional state, which borders war-torn Somalia, show the challenges in store. Its new president, Mustafa Omer, took office in August and vowed to dismantle a regime whose brutality he’s compared to the mafia’s.

That’s pitted him against the ruling Ethiopian People’s Somali Democratic Party, some of whose officials have been arrested or removed from their posts for alleged plotting, Mustafa said in an interview.

He took office in August, following violence along the boundary of Somali and Oromia states that forced over a million people to flee. Police are probing a mass grave containing about 200 bodies dating from the bloodshed, while Mustafa’s predecessor, deposed by federal troops, is awaiting trial for alleged abuses.

“Things are very much under control but we are lagging behind in terms of quickly reforming the party,” according to Mustafa, who says his new cabinet will steer decision-making and acting as a “firewall” against the party’s involvement.

Mustafa risks alienating some of his broader Ogaden clan, who once had the majority of local government posts, by widening representation for other communities, according to analyst Musa. His push for root-and-branch changes is also testing the loyalty of the Liyu Police, his predecessor’s enforcers who’re accused by rights groups of years of abuse.

In Afar, a state bordering Ethiopia’s former foe Eritrea, there’s a split in the ruling party between a “reformist” wing linked to Abiy and supporters of the embattled regional president, who’s faced protests by local youth, according to Musa. Some top members of the party were temporarily removed from their roles last month, he said.

With presidential advisor Yemane Gebreab in Asmara. On the agenda the extraordinary rapprochement with Ethiopia, impact in Eritrea and in the Horn and ways the EU could best support these evolutions. Credit: Koen Vervaeke

Eritrea-Ethiopia deal: EU delegation meets Afwerki's advisor in Asmara

By Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban | Africa News

The European Union, EU, has emphasized its support for the July 2018 peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea. An EU delegation is in Asmara to hold talks on support for the deal.

Koen Vervaeke, the Managing Director for Africa at the European Union’s External Action Service, EEAS, as at Tuesday, November 27, had met with Eritrea’s presidential advisor, Yemane Ghebreab.

“On the agenda the extraordinary rapprochement with Ethiopia, impact in Eritrea and in the Horn and ways the EU could best support these evolutions,” he wrote in a tweet.

The July 8 peace deal signed by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed for Ethiopia and Isaias Afwerki for Eritrea, ended decades of hostilities between the two countries.

Major developments have followed since the deal was signed with the full restoration of all diplomatic, trade and people-to-people ties after the reopening of border crossings between the two.

Leaders of both countries have been awarded two gold medals for their respective roles in the peace process. The first was in the United Arab Emirates and then in Saudi Arabia.

The effects of the deal has also extended beyond the region with Eritrea restoring friendly ties with Somalia and accepting to resolve diplomatic differences with Djibouti.

Targeted sanctions on Asmara were also lifted in mid-November by the United Nations Security Council, the sanctions imposed since 2009 had long been described as useless and unjustified by the government.

LEFT: Alemayehu “Alex” Abebe, from Ethiopia, at his Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant in Maryland. RIGHT: Abraham Melles, from Eritrea, at his Delina Eritrean Urban Kitchen, also in Maryland. (State Dept./David A. Peterson)

Eritrea-Ethiopia peace deal brings hope

By Lenore T. Adkins | Share America

Two men who grew up in Ethiopia and Eritrea and later became U.S. citizens and entrepreneurs are especially optimistic about what a historic 2018 peace deal between the two African countries could mean for the future.

“Eritrean people are hoping for a great change,” said Abraham Melles, 43, who came to Virginia in 1998 and a year later founded Crystal Parking, a Virginia-based parking services company.

“Eritrean people are hoping for a great change,” said Abraham Melles, 43, who came to Virginia in 1998 and a year later founded Crystal Parking, a Virginia-based parking services company.

Melles, from Eritrea, at one of the parking garages that his company
Crystal Parking manages in Maryland (State Dept./David A. Peterson)

In August, Melles opened Delina Eritrean Urban Kitchen, a 50-seat restaurant in Bethesda, Maryland, that he named after his 10-year-old daughter. The tapas-style restaurant serves Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine.

“America has been great to me, and I’m fortunate enough to accomplish all this from scratch,” said Melles, who became a U.S. citizen in 2012.

Now he is hoping to create opportunities in his home country. He recently opened a 28-room boutique hotel in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital city. “We are very ready to host them,” Melles said.

Starting over in the U.S.
Alemayehu “Alex” Abebe, 50, moved to the United States in 1994 during a period of political unrest in his native Ethiopia.

Like Melles, he settled in the Washington area, home to the largest concentration of Ethiopians in the United States and the largest Ethiopian community outside Addis Ababa. With a new Ethiopian government and peace deal in place with Eritrea, Abebe is planning a trip back home for the first time in more than 20 years. “This is the right direction,” said Abebe who passed his U.S. citizenship exam and is awaiting the date for his swearing-in ceremony.

Abebe named his restaurant in Maryland after the mountains of his home country
of Ethiopia. (State Dept./David A. Peterson)

In 2012, Abebe opened a tiny eatery in Washington called Chercher Ethiopian Restaurant — after the mountainous Ethiopian region.

The restaurant now seats 69 people and is in the midst of an expansion that will accommodate another 41 diners. Earlier this year, Abebe opened a second location in Bethesda and plans on opening two more next year in Washington and Virginia.

In doing so, he’s not only contributing to the area’s burgeoning culinary scene, but he’s also paying homage to his late parents and the Ethiopian restaurant they once owned in Chercher.

UPDATED: Police believe a cigarette in an apartment caused an overnight blaze in Solothurn in which six people, including children, died. One person has been arrested.

By Thelocal/AFP

Four adults and two children from two families from Eritrea and Ethiopia were killed in the fire that broke out in an apartment building in Solothurn in the early hours of Monday.

The four parents of the two families were aged from 27 to 33. An infant from one family and a child of school age from the other family died in the fire.

Three children from the same two families remained in hospital, police said in a statement.

Some of the children were said to go to local kindergartens.

Four of the apartments in the building were rented out by the city of Solothurn to house asylum seekers, the city confirmed on Tuesday. Eleven people lived in these four apartments.

A forensic police officer investigates the fire in Solothurn. Photo: AFP

The Ethiopian family had seen their bid for asylum in Switzerland rejected, the head of social services in Solothurn, Claudia Hänzi, told local daily the Solothurner Zeitung.

The residence status of the family from Eritrea is not known.

Hänzi said the city only rented dwellings for asylum seekers that had the necessary safety infrastructure and that the families housed there must be capable of living independently.

She stressed, too, that professional teams were in regular contact with all residents to provide assistance.

Initial investigations suggest Monday's fire was caused by a cigarette. One person was arrested and remains in custody, regional daily the Berner Zeitung reported on Tuesday.

Some 20 people were in the apartment building when the fire broke out. Witness described horrific scenes with people stuck in the building screaming.

Cycling in Eritrea: Beyond Sport

Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion

28 November 2018

Several weeks ago, I mentioned in passing that football (or what in some places is called soccer) is the most popular sport in Eritrea. In response, some have suggested that I was mistaken. Allow me to clarify. In Eritrea, football is the most popular sport because cycling is beyond merely a sport and instead assumes a societal position that is more along the lines of a religion. The great popularity of cycling in Eritrea was again in evidence during the past week as the country played host to the inaugural Africa Cup cycling competition. The Africa Cup was hosted through the cooperation of the Eritrean Cycling Federation and the African Cycling Confederation (CAC, which is also known as the Confédération Africaine de Cyclisme). It was also supported by the International Cycling Union (UCI, also known as Union Cycliste Internationale), the Switzerland-based world governing body which oversees international competitive cycling events.

The Africa Cup, featuring various races in several categories among both men and women, ran from November 21st to 25th, with races taking place in Asmara. A total of eight countries from across the continent took part in the competition: Eritrea, as host, as well as Benin, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Rwanda, the Seychelles, and South Africa. Eritrea put in a dominant display, dazzling many and winning a total of 21 medals – 10 Gold, 6 Silver, and 5 Bronze.

After the competition kicked off early last week, I caught several of the races and also closely followed along on Eri-TV, which featured live television coverage. Speaking as an Eritrean, it was a great honor that Eritrea, one of the youngest nations on the continent and in the world, was awarded the special privilege of hosting the first edition of such an important competition. Throughout the week, I was highly impressed by the organization, professionalism, and smooth running of the competition. Hosting an event on the scale of the Africa Cup is a large undertaking and all those who were involved in putting on such an amazing show merit our appreciation and applause.

I was also very impressed by the quality of competition and the large number of talented young riders. Team Eritrea made us all proud and we now have several more national sporting heroes to feel good about. One of the special highlights for me was seeing our young female athletes compete and represent their country so admirably. It is important to note that sport has huge potential to empower women and girls. In many countries, it has been recognized that sport can improve girls’ and women’s self-esteem and be a force to tear down gender barriers and discrimination. Throughout the duration of the Africa Cup, our female athletes put in strong performances in challenging conditions, which should defy any lingering misperceptions that they are weak or incapable. They demonstrated not only great physical strength and stamina, but also leadership, strategic thinking, courage, and tenacity.

The fans also deserve great credit. Large crowds, filled with many youngsters, came out to passionately support Eritrea’s next generation of cycling stars and they also provided a warm, gracious welcome to the visiting athletes and fans. As I observed the young local fans cheering and singing excitedly, I could not help but think that some of them would go on to one day represent their nation in major races.

I genuinely hope that the Africa Cup is just a harbinger of things to come for Eritrean cycling. Our athletes, both male and female, are so talented and we should all continue to support and encourage them. While the competition was a reminder of just how deep our nation’s cycling talent is, we must not be complacent. Eritrea has so much more to achieve. We still need to invest in better facilities, sponsorships, and development programs in order to ensure that we properly develop and nurture our vast array of talent. If we do this, we can achieve much more in the future.

With each signature, President Trump continues to end President Obama's disastrous foreign policy against Eritrea and the Horn of Africa.

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

SUBJECT: Presidential Determination with Respect to the Efforts of Foreign Governments Regarding Trafficking in Persons

Consistent with section 110 of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000 (22 U.S.C. 7107) (the “Act”), as amended, I hereby determine as follows:

As provided for in section 110(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act, I determine that the United States will not provide nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance to the Governments of Belarus, Belize, Bolivia, Burma, Burundi, China, Comoros, the Republic of the Congo (ROC), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Laos, Mauritania, Papua New Guinea (PNG), South Sudan, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela for Fiscal Year (FY) 2019 until such governments comply with the minimum standards or make significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with the Act.

As provided for in section 110(d)(1)(A)(ii) of the Act, I determine that the United States will not provide nonhumanitarian, nontrade-related assistance to, or allow funding for participation in educational and cultural exchange programs by officials or employees of, the Governments of Eritrea, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Russia, and Syria for FY 2019 until such governments comply with the Act’s minimum standards or make significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with the Act.

As provided for in section 110(d)(1)(B) of the Act, I hereby instruct the United States Executive Director of each multilateral development bank, as defined in the Act, and of the International Monetary Fund to vote against and use best efforts to deny any loan or other utilization of the funds of the respective institution (other than for humanitarian assistance; for trade-related assistance; or for development assistance that directly addresses basic human needs, is not administered by the government of such country, and confers no benefit to that government) for the Governments of Bolivia, Burma, Burundi, China, Comoros, ROC, DRC, DPRK, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Laos, Mauritania, Russia, South Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela for FY 2019 until such governments comply with the minimum standards or make significant efforts to bring themselves into compliance with the Act.

Consistent with section 110(d)(4) of the Act, I determine that a partial waiver to allow International Military Education and Training (IMET), Foreign Military Financing (FMF), and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) related to FMF with respect to Belize would promote the purposes of the Act or is otherwise in the national interest of the United States;

Consistent with section 110(d)(4) of the Act, I determine that a partial waiver to allow assistance described in section 110(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act with respect to PNG — with the exception of Peacekeeping Operations (PKO), FMS not related to FMF, and Excess Defense Articles (EDA) — would promote the purposes of the Act or is otherwise in the national interest of the United States;

Consistent with section 110(d)(4) of the Act, I determine that a partial waiver with respect to Eritrea to allow funding for educational and cultural exchange programs described in section110(d)(1)(A)(ii) of the Act, and a partial waiver to allow assistance described in section 110(d)(1)(A)(ii) of the Act with respect to Eritrea — with the exception of FMF, FMS, IMET, EDA, and PKO — would promote the purposes of the Act or is otherwise in the national interest of the United States;

Consistent with section 110(d)(4) of the Act, I determine that the provision of all programs, projects, and activities described in section 110(d)(1)(A)(i) of the Act to the Governments of Belarus and Turkmenistan would promote the purposes of the Act or is otherwise in the national interest of the United States; and

Consistent with section 110(d)(4) of the Act, I determine that providing assistance described in section 110(d)(1)(B) of the Act to Belarus, Belize, Eritrea, PNG, and Turkmenistan would promote the purposes of the Act or is otherwise in the national interest of the United States.

You are authorized and directed to submit this determination, the certification required by section 110(e) of the Act, and the Department of State’s Memorandum of Justification, on which I have relied, to the Congress, and to publish the determination in the Federal Register.

DONALD J. TRUMP.

Source: White House

US interest is best served having strong ties with Eritrea. Obama's policy of isolating and punishing Eritrea to appease Susan Rice's personal vendetta against President Isaias was a disaster for all sides.

Envoy says US aiming for warmer ties with Eritrea

By AFP

The United States wants better ties with Eritrea following this month's lifting of UN sanctions against the Horn of Africa nation, Washington's top Africa diplomat said on Friday.

The UN Security Council sanctioned Eritrea in 2009 for supporting Al-Shabaab militants in Somalia but lifted the restrictions following the July signing of a peace deal that ended 20 years of conflict with neighbouring Ethiopia.

Relations between Washington and Eritrea have long been frosty but US Assistant Secretary of State Tibor Nagy told journalists ahead of a trip to the capital Asmara that he hopes that will change.

"We would like to have the same type of positive relations with Eritrea as we do with Ethiopia," a key ally Nagy said during a visit to its capital Addis Ababa.

Eritrea is considered one of the world's most repressive countries, and Nagy suggested to Congress in September that the US would only support lifting sanctions if Asmara reformed.

Among his concerns were Eritrea's continuing detention of US citizens and Eritrean embassy employees as well as its purchases of arms from North Korea.

However the US ultimately backed the Security Council resolution lifting sanctions, a shift diplomats attributed to national security adviser John Bolton, who dealt with the Eritrea-Ethiopia conflict when he served as UN ambassador.

Once a province of Ethiopia, Eritrea voted for independence in 1993 then five years later fought a two-year war against its southern neighbour that ground into a stalemate.

The two countries normalised relations following Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed's June announcement that his government would honour a UN ruling ceding disputed border territory to Eritrea.

The countries' rapprochement raised hopes Asmara would release jailed dissidents and end much criticised policies such as an indefinite national service scheme that forces people into government jobs at low pay.

But Asmara has made no such changes, which Nagy alluded to on Friday.

"The United States obviously continues to have some outstanding issues with Eritrea," he said.

From left to right: US. Charge d'Affaires to Eritrea, Natalie E. Brown, US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Tibor P. Nagy, President Isaias Afewerki, FM Osman Saleh, Presidential Advisor Yemane Gebreab at Denden Hall in Asmara

President Isaias met and held talks with US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs

By Shabait

President Isaias Afwerki received and held talks today, 4 December at Denden Hall with the US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs, Mr. Tibor Nagy. President Isaias and Mr. Tibor discussed on bilateral as well as regional and global issues of interest to the two countries.

President Isaias expressed Eritrea’s readiness for constructive engagement to strengthen relation and cooperation with the US in various sectors.

The US Assistant Secretary for African Affairs on his part reiterated US willingness to strengthen relations with Eritrea.

The two sides also agreed to work together for the consolidation of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia.

Mr. Tibor Nagy also held similar discussions with Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs and other senior Government and PFDJ officials.

'ERITREA' Never Kneel Down!

Gratitude to the people and friends of Eritrea who added their moral weight in supporting, defending Eritrea and contributed to the lifting of the ignominious sanctions. Look back and reminisce still your ongoing resilience, and creativity which forever wont fade away is the image found here!

Embassy Media

The Eritrean Patriotic Group

The Eritrean Patriotic Group: Supporting Eritrean Development and Progres

By Nemron Yohannes Iyassu | Eritrea Profile

Although separated from Eritrea by thousands of kilometers, the members of the Eritrean Patriotic Group (EPG), located in Frankfurt, Germany, maintain a strong connection to their home country. From Germany, the group has extended considerable support and supported development in Eritrea and made. We had the opportunity to do discuss the organization and its important work with Desale Asfaha, of Frankfurt, one of the EPG’s founding members.

-What was the motivation behind establishing the Eritrean Patriotic Group (EPG)?

When we decided to establish this organization, there was a lot of bad news about Eritrea floating in the media. As Eritreans living in Germany, we wanted to show the people in Germany the truth. Sure, Eritrea has challenges, like everywhere else. However, the Eritrean people are proud and hard-working. And Eritrea has many, many positive aspects, which people hardly hear about.

More importantly, however, we established the EPG in order to support our brothers and sisters back home. Eritrea is young and still growing; thus, it can still use support to help it reach its full potential. In 2017, we began working in Frankfurt. We had only 4 members. However, we have grown rapidly and we have 66 total members from all over Germany, including Stuttgart, Mannheim, Frankfurt, Essen, and Hannover. In fact, we are looking forward to grow even more!

-How does the EPG work?

In Germany, we were supporting Eritrean organizations with our various skills and “manpower.” For example, some members of the group from Heilbronn, in cooperation with the National Confederation of Eritrean Workers (NCEW), are helping to build schools in Eritrea. When they want to ship things, like new school materials to Eritrea, we help them load the containers.

We also organized a football tournament in Gießen this year and we invited recent Eritrean migrants as a way to “come together” and help them to get connected to the local society.

We are also driven by the question of how we can support the Eritrean people directly. We heard about a project for pupils of the school for the visually-impaired in Godaif. It arranges annual tours for students to Massawa. I directly contacted the EHD (Eritrea Hilfswerk in Deutschland e.V.) and connected with Martin Zimmermann, the manager of this organization. I met him in Eritrea a couple of years ago and already knew that he was great work for Eritrea. I informed the EPG members about our conversation and within a week we collected €3500, which we handed over to Mr. Zimmermann. 9 months later, we decided to create EHD-Frankfurt in order to improve cooperation between the EPG and the EHD. Now, we are running the two organizations so that we can assume responsibility for the yearly Massawa tour.

We also wanted to support the Eritrea’s war veterans and we have collected donations. In the end, we were able to donate two electric wheelchairs, one running wheelchair, and one billiards table for the veterans.

-What benefits are there from being active in different cities?

Let me answer this question with an interesting story. We had our founding conference in Frankfurt, as we received the news that we could give the veterans a billiards table as a gift. However, someone would have to go pick it up from Stuttgart. However, because of the conference, no member was able to go there. So Solomon Hagus, an EPG member, simply cancelled his appearance at the conference without informing anyone. Secretly Solomon called his Eritrean friends in Stuttgart to help him pick up the billiards table and deliver it to the War Veteran’s Association in Stuttgart, because they were sending a container to Eritrea that day. He later surprised us all with his unexpected story. So for us it is a big advantage to be active in not only one city.

-You have now been here for about 3 weeks. What have you been up to, besides catching up with family and friends?

Together with Martin Zimmermann, I visited the school for the visually-impaired and the orphanage in Godaif. We wanted to talk about the Massawa project and have a closer look at their actual needs. Development requires open communication and we want to ensure that we are providing the requisite support. We are planning to build a new sports field there.

We also went to the BIDHO headquarters to see how we could support them. BIDHO works to address challenges related to HIV/AIDS. They have done excellent work over the years and we simply want to support that.

I went to the War Veteran’s Association office to talk to the manager about our past and future donations and how we could help improve the mobility of veterans. Some days, later I visited them at Denden to see how they live and better understand their challenges and needs.

I guess you could say that a lot of the trip has been doing research in order to better understand how we can more effectively support our nation.

-Do you guys already have plans how you want to support Eritrea in the future?

Of course! We have already collected enough money for the Massawa trip in 2019. We are planning to buy new swimming vests for the 65 pupils so that everyone can go on the trip, even the young ones. In fact, we are hoping to get more and more members in the near future. We welcome any and all who want to support Eritrea.

-Thank you for the interview Desale. Best wishes to you and the EPG!

The Church of Our Lady of the Rosary in Asmara - Credit: Nick Redmayne

Ahead of a new flight from London to Asmara, Nick Redmayne explores the African nation on the Red Sea

By Nick Redmayne | Independent

The silent Grundig wireless sets, empty wine bottles and tired musical instruments made for diverting lunch decor in Ghibabo. Young men and women at a neighbouring table chat, taking in the eccentricity of this restaurant and pizzeria in Asmara, the capital of Eritrea.

“Ethiopian people,” says a nearby diner, pointing at a nearby group. “Tourists.”

After a protracted independence war and 20 years of unresolved border conflict, a peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia was signed in July. Ethiopian Amharic voices are still a novelty in Asmara.

Eritrea lies at the Horn of Africa, bordering Sudan and Djibouti. Its 1,000km Red Sea coast faces strife-ridden Yemen, and curtails port access for Ethiopia. Asmara recently acquired Unesco status for its legacy of Italian modernist architecture. Mussolini envisioned Asmara at the heart of Italy’s new African Empire; an aspiration never achieved.

With its broad, tree-lined Avenue Harnet, downtown Asmara is a city with lungs. Beyond the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, Rosina Caffé’s glass-panelled doors open onto busy marble-top tables. Cappuccino, macchiato and gelato are served by uniformed waitresses. Avocado juice is available – perhaps a nod to Asmara’s burgeoning hipster scene? But this is no overpriced expatriate bolthole. Customers are Eritreans, mostly older men, and save for the absence of wifi it could be southern Europe.

Across the road it’s possible that Cinema Impero’s art deco façade makes more of a statement now than it did in 1937. Though the list of showings – mainly Korean martial arts movies – says something too. Reflecting on lengthy conflict, Asmarinos have had their fill of real fighting. Elsewhere, faded pastel streets reference Africa and Italy in unhurried homage to daily life. “Don’t worry, there are no thieves in Asmara,” remarks a café manager when I carelessly abandoned my shoulder bag.

Eritrea’s second city, descending from Eritrea’s cool central plateau, is Keren. It’s 90km north west of Asmara, but seems further. I arrived in the warm evening air and a power cut had cast downtown into darkness. Generators clatter into life: business as usual.

Keren shares much with Sudan to the north, most obviously long white galabias and generous turbans. Tea is delicious, and the staple brown beans of a good ful medames a siren call to those who’ve spent time in the region. Europhile Asmarinos consider Keren another country. That said, citizens cherry-pick cultural influences, maintaining a fondness for beer – particularly cheaper brews now pouring in from Ethiopia.

Monday morning’s livestock market is why most tourists travel to Keren: a shadeless, sandy expanse of goats, sheep, donkeys, cattle and camels, overseen by young boys waving sticks and squinting old men, stretches up a hillside. A commotion erupts as horned bulls fight in earnest, until a yelling youth wearing a galabia launches himself fearlessly into the fray, striking each beast smartly with his stick.

Elsewhere, camels are aloof and disdainful, though one male bull camel held in check against a wall angrily blows out a pink, fleshy air sack, and undoubtedly has murder in mind. Budget camels start at 15,000 nakfa, or around USD$1,000. I choose a seat in the shade, buying a glass of aromatic tea and some roasted peanuts.

The other city on the circuit is Massawa, Eritrea’s Red Sea port. Dropping from the 2,500m-high central plateau, initial rain showers bely the change in climate. More than 100km away, airy and cool, Asmara is soon a distant dream as Massawa’s humidity stupefies. A week earlier the city languished in 46-degree heat.

Despite being the country’s only port, Massawa is no hive of activity. The former Governor’s Palace, a one-time residence of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, lies in ruin, a reminder of past conflict. Not far away, the carcass of a Soviet Antonov cargo aircraft serves a similar purpose.

Beach life is 10 minutes from town at Gurgusum, where clear water and long stretches of sand draw weekend crowds. Mid-week, the modest Gurgusum Beach Hotel is almost deserted.

In a newer part of town, the Northern Red Sea Museum catalogues the region’s flora and fauna in pickling jars and skeletons. Other exhibits record history, ethnography and bloody campaigns of the liberation war.

Massawa’s old town remains beautiful. Along dusty streets, buildings constructed from coral stone reflect Ottoman, Egyptian and Italian occupations. However, many are empty and crumbling through war damage and neglect. The shattered shell of once opulent Banque d’Italia says it all. Here and there, cafes and bars trade discreetly, while industry appears limited to bicycle repair shops spilling into the streets.

Visiting Eritrea is a reflective experience, a country whose independence was paid for in blood, and whose development has been built on dreams and determination. Low crime, almost non-existent corruption and a powerful sense of nationhood are pitted against Byzantine bureaucracy, institutional paranoia and a hated system of indefinite National Service. However, peace has catalysed change. Whether this translates into political liberalisation is a question Eritreans now dare to ask.

Travel essentials

Getting there
Ethiopian Airlines flies to Asmara from Heathrow and Manchester from 11 December, via Addis Ababa, from £750pp.

Staying there
Undiscovered Destinations offers a nine-day Eritrea Discovery small group tour from £2,745pp; excludes flights.

Tourists travelling on UK passports require a visa which costs £50 and must be applied for in person, and by appointment, at the Embassy of the State of Eritrea at 96 White Lion St, London N1 9PF.

Djibouti President Ismail Omar Guelleh and Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki meet in Jeddah for peace, September 17, 2018

Eritrean president to pay visit to Djibouti 'soon': FM

By Addis Getachew | Anadolu Agency

Djibouti's foreign minister on Wednesday said Eritrean President Isaias Afeworki will pay a visit to his country “soon”.

Djibouti and Eritrea have been maintaining high level contacts after Ethiopia’s recommendation for a region-wide thaw was accepted across the board.

“We don’t have a date yet, but the two presidents will exchange visits soon,” Mahamoud Ali Youssouf told Anadolu Agency in an exclusive interview as he attended Ethiopian Day organized on the sidelines of the ongoing 2nd Djibouti International Trade Fair.

“The two presidents met in September and I met my Eritrean counterpart. We will build on that momentum. Confidence should be built,” he said.

“Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is launching initiatives that create conducive environment for the reconciliation and he broadened the scope of the stability and prospect for peace in the region,” he said.

Youssouf said, “This has to be acknowledged and recognized [because] the prime minister has been instrumental in the new momentum.”

He described the region as the most volatile in Africa.

“In comparison with other regions in Africa, this region [the Horn of Africa] has been trapped in a number of crises; some of them internal like the case in Somalia, and some external like the case between Eritrea and Djibouti.

“I think that we needed a visionary leader who could think regional and see the opportunities for countries to come together, plan together, and work for the benefit of the people of the region,” Youssouf added.

“We are very optimistic, he said. "Because we have seen the first signals of the development of the situation. In the future we will see more of it."

Relations between Eritrea and Djibouti have been tense since the 1980s due to land claims. In June 2008, the two countries fought a three-day war after Djibouti claimed that Eritrean forces dug trenches on its side of the border.

Annual ‘Imam Hassan bin Ali Award' Goes to Ethiopia and Eritrea Leaders

By 7DNews

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali , and Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki received the 2018 ‘Imam Al Hassan Bin Ali Award for Promoting Peace’, awarded by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the United Arab Emirates, in recognition of their central role in ending the long-running conflict between their countries and promoting the values of tolerance and coexistence.

The award was received by the Eritrean and Ethiopian Ambassadors to the UAE on their states’ behalf.

The award was presented at the fifth assembly of the Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies in Abu Dhabi, with delegates from over 80 countries, including leading religious scholars, and government and civil society experts, to discuss the role of religion in promoting world peace.

The theme of the forum was “Alliance of Virtues: An opportunity for Global Peace”. The key not speech was delivered by the Forum's President, Shaykh Abdullah bin Bayyah. Speakers at the conference included Ambassador Sam Brownback, US Ambassador for International Religious Freedom, and Shaykh Mohammad bin Abdul Karim al-Issa, Secretary General of the Muslim World League.

In previous years, the annual prize was awarded to Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, from India, for his long work in the quest for peace through his scholarship; The Interfaith Platform of the Central African Republic, which works to end violence in their country; and the Family House, which works on creating harmony between Christians and Muslims in Egypt.

The Forum for Promoting Peace in Muslim Societies, sponsored by His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, brings together the best global Islamic scholarly expertise for solutions to world peace issues, especially the challenge of extremism and politicisation of religions.

President Isaias Afwerki with Italian Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ms. Emanuela Claudia Del Re, December 5, 2018

President Isaias hold talks with Vice Foreign Minister of Italy

By MoI | Shabait

Asmara, 05 December 2028- President Isaias Afwerki received and held talks today, 5 December at the Denden Guest House with Ms. Emanuela Claudia Del Re, Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Italy as well as with representatives of business delegation accompanying her.

At the meeting President Isaias underlined the long history of engagement of Italy in the region and invited the Italian business community to invest in various sectors.

Ms. Emanuela on her part underscored the existence of vast opportunities for Italian investment in the Horn of Africa and expressed her firm expectation that future investment will promote balanced benefits to the peoples in the region as well as the Italian people.

Indicating that her visit to Eritrea is being conducted following the historic visit of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte on 12 October, Ms. Emanuela said that that attests to the interest Italy has in the Horn of Africa.

Briefing on investment opportunities as well as Eritrea's priorities on investment was also delivered to the representatives of business delegation, report indicates.

In his opening speech, Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea expressed his firm belief that the new era of peace and cooperation in the Horn of Africa will create a vast opportunity of investments and promote balanced benefits to the countries of the region.

Ms. Emanuela on her part stating her country's interest in Eritrea and the Horn of Africa, underscored that the visit of the Italian investors attests to that fact.

In the same vein, Vice Foreign Minister of Italy, Ms. Emanuela Del Re participated on 4 December at the inauguration ceremony of the National Cardiac Center established at the premises of Orotta National Referral Hospital.

According to Dr. Habteab Mehari, Medical Director at the Orotta National Referral Hospital, the Center was established in cooperation with the Ministry of Health, Italian Cooperation Association and World Health Organization (WHO) and is ready for providing cardiology services equipped with necessary facilities.

Diaspora youth taking photos with the iconic Asmara Cathedral behind them (credit: nzz.ch)

Here's why Uganda, Zimbabwe, Eritrea are 'cool places' to visit in 2019

By Daniel Mumbere | Africa News

Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Uganda and South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province are the African destinations named in National Geographic Traveler’s ‘Cool list’ for 2019.

The much anticipated Cool List 2019, lists the must-see countries and cities for the year ahead.

‘‘Our team of editors, writers and industry experts have compiled the 19 destinations set to hit the headlines, with key openings, new routes and rising-star destinations,’‘ said Pat Riddell, the editor of National Geographic Traveler.

The Cool List 2019 includes stellar destinations such Eritrea, finally open to tourists after decades off-limits.

‘‘The Cool List 2019 includes stellar destinations such Eritrea, finally open to tourists after decades off-limits, and the buzzing arts scene of locations as wide-ranging as Hong Kong and West Yorkshire.”

Here’s what was said about the different African destinations;

Zimbabwe

Why now? With Mugabe gone, Zimbabwe’s new president, Emmerson Mnangagwa, seems keen to invest in tourism.

And while there’s been economic and political turbulence, the safety of tourists hasn’t come into question.

Main attractions: Victoria Falls and the surrounding area have always enjoyed the lion’s share of the attention, and for good reason. As well as the beautiful falls themselves, the Zambezi flows through gorges and over rapids that are perfect for those after an adrenalin rush.

And don’t miss Zambezi National Park, three miles away. Just 10 years ago, you’d have been lucky to see anything but a few impala here, but the local anti-poaching unit has made enormous strides and the species list now includes four of the Big Five (only the rhino is missing).

Eritrea

Why now? Having struck new peace agreements with neighbouring Ethiopia and Djibouti, this little-visited African country is opening up to adventurous travellers as well as those with an eye for architecture.

Main attractions: Eritrea is a former colony of Mussolini’s Italy and its capital, Asmara, is a treasure trove of mid-century modernist architecture, where espressos, mopeds and vintage Fiats are as common as mojitos and Cadillacs are in Havana.

In 2017, UNESCO declared the entire city centre a World Heritage Site.

Beyond Asmara, Eritrea has intriguing towns and wilderness regions to discover. The Red Sea is barely two hours away; from the port of Massawa you can visit the Dahlak Archipelago for superb diving.

In July 2018, Ethiopian Airlines resumed its flights from Addis Ababa to Asmara for the first time in 20 years, meaning it’s now easy to visit both capitals in one trip.

KwaZulu-Natal

Why now? British Airways recently launched direct flights from Heathrow to Durban, plus two new lodges are opening in the Hluhluwe–Imfolozi Park.

Main attractions: The beaches stretching for miles either side of Durban make KZN a viable winter sun hotspot, but the real appeal is in the wildlife.

Magical encounters with elephant herds and rescued rhinos in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park can be combined with nature cruises from St Lucia — the coastal town where wild hippos roam the streets.

Uganda

Why now? When Rwanda doubled the price of its gorilla trek permits from $750 to $1,500 (£572 to £1,144) in 2017, neighbouring Uganda responded by freezing its own rates at $600 (£458) until mid-2019.

Main attractions: If you’re longing to see mountain gorillas in the wild, but Rwanda’s ultra-luxe lodges and high permit fees don’t suit your budget, head for Uganda’s Bwindi Impenetrable Forest instead.

The steady growth of its gorilla population is one of Africa’s great conservation success stories, with tourists playing an important role.

Almost 20 families can now be visited by guided groups of up to eight. Trekking fees raise funds not only for gorillas and their habitat, but also for Uganda’s other national assets including Queen Elizabeth and Murchison Falls National Parks, home to chimps, giraffes and hippos.

The other destinations on the cool list include Japan’s Setouchi, Antarctica, Pittsburgh, Corsica and Cambodia.

Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Tibor P. Nagy, Jr. with President Isaias Afwerki

The following transcript was taken from a press briefing on U.S. Policy in Africa with Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of African Affairs, Tibor P. Nagy, Jr.:

MODERATOR: Thank you, Assistant Secretary Nagy. We will begin the question and answer portion of the call. When we call on you to ask a question, if you could provide your name and affiliation, and limit yourself, if you would, to one question covering the Assistant Secretary’s trip, as well as Africa policy.

For those of you listening in French or Portuguese, you can continue to send questions via email to afmediahub@state.gov. As I said, we have a number of questions received in advance. You mentioned, sir, your visit to Eritrea and we have a question from Radio France International in Kenya, asking: Did you raise the dire human rights record with the Eritrean government, and what was their response?

ASST. SEC. NAGY: We discussed the full range of interests between the two countries, both externally and internally. I’m not going to go into any specifics, but rest assured that the human rights considerations are very much a part of U.S. consideration in our bilateral relationship with Eritrea.

Overall, let me say this about Eritrea: our intention is, hopefully, to get to the point where our relations with Eritrea are just as warm and cordial as our relations with Ethiopia, because both countries are vitally important. In many respects they complement each other, so that is the goal that we are pursuing. It will be step-by-step. It will obviously take time, but we felt that this initial opening dialogue was very important. Thank you very much.

QUESTION: [INAUDIBLE] Horn of Africa [INAUDIBLE] and what type of relationship do you envision establishing with Eritrea and in what specific areas or sectors are you looking to work with Eritrea?

ASST. SEC. NAGY: I’m sorry, I did not get the gist of the question. Brian, did you?

MODERATOR: No, let me ask the journalist. If you could introduce yourself again and state your question again. I heard “Eritrea” but we couldn’t pick up the question. It’s not a great connection.

QUESTION: My name is [INAUDIBLE] from the Eritrea Profile newspaper. Ambassador Nagy, [INAUDIBLE] and moving forward, what is the specific role of the U.S. in the Horn of Africa, and what kind of relationship do you envision establishing with Eritrea, and what specific areas and sectors are you looking forward to work?

ASST. SEC. NAGY: Okay, I did hear the part about what specific relations we look forward to establishing with Eritrea. As I said in my introductory comments, I hope that in the not-too-distant future, the United States of America can have the same warm, cordial relationship with Eritrea that we have with Ethiopia.

We found our discussions with Eritrean government officials to be very positive. We talked about a number of issues of mutual interest, including the possibility of U.S. companies investing in Eritrea, because we all recognize that Eritrea needs urgently to create jobs for its many young people, and beyond that we agreed that it’s going to be a step-by-step moving forward, and we look forward to continuing that discussion, both in Asmara and in Washington.

MODERATOR: Thanks, Ambassador. Go ahead, sir.

ASST. SEC. NAGY: He also mentioned the Horn of Africa. On the Horn of Africa, we are very encouraged by recent developments with Prime Minister Abiy in Ethiopia, extending a hand of friendship towards Eritrea, which is washing over the entire region. I think it is also impacting Somalia. Hopefully it will also impact South Sudan, and hopefully soon the relationship also will be normalized between Djibouti and Eritrea. As the Ethiopian foreign minister says himself, “We should now call it not the Horn of Africa but the Hope of Africa.” Thank you.

Fast forward to 20 minutes into the audio below for the Eritrea questions:

Djibouti Ambassador Mohamed Zohr Harsi (l) and Head of the African Affairs Committee Tarek Radwan in a meeting at the parliament. December 5, 2018 - Egypt

Djibouti allocates 1M square meters to Egypt for logistic zone

By Egypt Today

Djibouti Ambassador Mohamed Zohr Harsi revealed on Wednesday, Dec. 5 that his country granted Egypt 1 million square meters to establish a logistic zone to be an exportation base to many African countries.

The ambassador said in a meeting with the African Affairs Committee at the Parliament that the bilateral cooperation agreements between Egypt and Djibouti can be activated. “Maybe there were some circumstances that hindered the activation of such agreements but now both countries are cooperating. We will soon witness the outcome of such cooperation, fostered by President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi,” Harsi said.

The ambassador praised Egypt for allocating a passage for Africans at the border control of Cairo International Airport to speed up their measures adding that Djibouti is always eager to attend events hosted by Egypt. He also expressed his happiness that Egypt will chair the African Union (AU) in 2019.

Harsi highlighted that both countries must overcome obstacles impeding trade and economic partnership. He said transportation is the main obstacle because of the lack of direct flights and maritime transport.

The ambassador demanded that Egypt establishes an Azhar-affiliated institute, and branches of the Egyptian universities in his country; that is in addition to supporting pre-university education, stressing that his country is ready to allocate the necessary lands, and facilitate all measures.

Harsi stated that his country’s disagreements with Eritrea are coming to an end, and that bilateral meetings are taking place to resolve issues.

Committee Head Tarek Radwan promised the ambassador that he will communicate with relevant governmental bodies and that the committee is ready to accept any invitations by Djibouti Parliament to discuss bilateral files and boost cooperation in all fields.

Radwan affirmed that the political leadership is eager to strengthen relations with African countries and study the needs of each. Committee Deputy Head Maged Abol Kair stated that Egypt targets to establish real bases to achieve development while chairing the AU, highlighting that the president’s motto is “partnership for development.”

Abol Khair added that Egypt is ready to share its experiences in different fields including energy, and the medical sector, especially the elimination of hepatitis C.

Committee member Amena Nosseir affirmed that Egypt is proud of its African identity, and that it “realizes Africa’s value as it is the future,” pointing out that “the West is racing to have presence in Africa.”

Switzerland abandons sanctions against Eritrea citing UNSC vote

By Abdur Rahman Alfa Shaban | Africa News

The Switzerland government on Friday (December 7) announced the lifting of targeted sanctions against Eritrea. The government also affirmed that it was working to normalize relations with Asmara.

An official statement said the decision was largely premised on the same position as adopted by the United Nations Security Council, UNSC, in mid-November 2018.

“The sanctions – that include an arms embargo, travel bans and asset freezes – will be repealed as of Friday evening, said a government statement.

“The UN Security Council had imposed the sanctions in December 2009 after Eritrea was suspected of supporting armed groups like Al-Shabaab with a view to destabilising the region. A border dispute with Djibouti also helped contribute to the decision,” the statement read in part.

After nine years, the UNSC lifted sanctions on Eritrea after the UN monitoring group on Eritrea found inconclusive evidence of Asmara arming Al-Shabaab.

On the part of Eritrea and Djibouti’s diplomatic spat, signs of warming of ties as leaders of both nations met in Saudi Arabia in September also counted in the UNSC’s decision.

Switzerland also underscored its relations with Eritrean asylum seekers. “About 20,000 Eritreans live in Switzerland, the largest Eritrean diaspora in the world. In addition, Eritreans make up the largest national group of asylum seekers in Switzerland,” the statement noted.

The statement cited recent engagements with Eritrea on development cooperation and reinforcement of diplomatic presence as signs of progress in bilateral ties.

“The slow return of Eritrea to the international community fold has also had an impact on Switzerland’s asylum policy towards Eritreans fleeing compulsory military service,” the statement concluded.

Cardiology Unit at Orotta National Referral Hospital in Asmara inaugurated on Dec. 4, in the presence of Minister of Health, Amina Nurhussen; Italian Vice Foreign Minister, Emanuela Claudia Del Re; and WHO Res. Rep. Dr. Josephine Nambozi. Project was funded by GOE, Italy and WHO

Italian deputy minister for foreign affairs, emanuela del re:

After the recent visit to of Italian Prime Minister Conte to Eritrea, Italian Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Emanuela Del Re, arrived in Asmara this week leading a large delegation that included several enterpreures. On Wednesday morning, she met and held extensive talks with President Isaias Afwerki. Q&A caught Del Re soon after her two hours-long meeting with the President. This is what the Minister had to say:

-Thank you for your time Deputy Minister. What is the impression of Eritrea?

Eritrea is a fantastic country. I have to say, I was very excited before coming and I am more excited now that I have seen it. Although, I am here for a short time I think that the charm of the country and the warmth of its people comes straight to the hearts of the people who visit this country. That is why so many people, from around the world and especially Europe, particularly Italy, are attracted to this country.

-You had a rather long discussion with Eritrea President Isaias Afwerki. Could you tell us about the points you talked about?

Above all, I was honored to have this discussion with the Eritrean President and I can say that this is huge opportunity for Italy and Eritrea. We had intensive talks discussing the future of Eritrea in terms of entrepreneurship, investments and projects to revive several economic sectors as well as the development of human resources that I think are very important to the President of Eritrea as well as to Italy because I am convinced that if Eritrea grows we will also grow. Eritrea is part of the global world and most importantly, it is a country ready to be an important country in the world. I started my trip to the Horn of Africa from Eritrea as I believe Eritrea is number one and we really need to focus on it, especially, within the framework of the long standing friendship that exists between the peoples of Italy and Eritrea.

Italian Vice Foreign Minister, Emanuela Claudia Del Re

-You might have learned that core policies of the Eritrean government evolve around visions of nation building that include, for example, the set-up of viable infrastructure. On what terms can the two countries work towards common understanding and undertakings for mutual benefits?

Infrastructure is a very important aspect of development of a country and obviously it is something that needs to be assed and understood very carefully. Because, in Eritrea, the potential is there but, once again, there is the need of technical teams to discuss potential projects; how to develop them as well as to discuss investment. It is still work in progress; but most importantly, it is a process that has already started.

-What would be, in your opinion, the next step the two countries might need to do to advance bilateral cooperation?

Italian Prime Minister Conte was here two months ago, and here I am today also to start an operational project. The first steps have to be about exchanging technical teams as well as bringing investors. In fact today many entrepreneurs have arrived to Asmara from Italy ready to explore the market and see what can be done. These investors are of different sectors. I would like to mention those of fisheries because I convinced them to come. There also more investors of several specialties because, really, this is something that the Italians believe is very important and you can be sure that we have all the will to partner-up with Eritrea. My visit, in particular, attests that this is true.

-Putting in consideration the historic ties between the two peoples, what are your wishes for them?

Yesterday, after visiting the Italian School in Asmara, I realized that Eritreans are a population who have confidence in and allowed the Italian educational system to be a partner in raising their children. I think this is a fantastic sign of amity. On the other hand, this is an opportunity, for us Italians, to grow to learn. My wish is for both the peoples of Eritrea and Italy to grow together. I think that together we can do a lot.

-Deputy Minister, any final notes?

I would like to bring my children here to Eritrea. Because, I think they will be delighted to make Eritrean friends. They are citizens of the world and I think that missing on the opportunity to learn from the Eritreans, their history, their fantastic resources and great opportunities is something I don’t want to deprive them of. So, next visit will be a family visit.

STATEMENT BY MR.NEBIL SAID, COUNSELLOR,

PERMANENT MISSION OF ERITREA TO THE UNITED NATIONS,

AT THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONFERENCE TO ADOPT THE GLOBAL COMPACT FOR SAFE, ORDERLY AND REGULAR MIGRATION

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO

11 DECEMBER 2018

Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Distinguished delegates,

Let me start by conveying the gratitude of my delegation to the people and government of the Kingdom of Morocco for the excellent organisation and their warm hospitality.

Eritrea welcomes the adoption of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration.

The Compact provides us witha historic opportunity toaddress migration comprehensively. To make human mobility safe, reduce its negative impacts for migrants and countries as well as maximise its benefits for all.

A framwork for global governance of human mobility is crucial and long overdue.

Mr. President,

Migration creates and reproduces our common human heritage.

Despite much talk about its negative impacts,much of the economic, technological and cultural progress and dynamism of our world would have not been possible without centuries long human mobility.

Migration is here to stay with us due to demographic transformation, growing global inequalities, improved international communications; and,more importantly,the mere human desire to move.

It is unfortunate in an era when the international community has made advances in facilitating cross-border movements of commodities, services and finance, a non-binding agreement on migration is still firmly resisted by some.
We cannot continue to turn our eyes away from an issue of immense consequence for humanity and hope for it to go away.

Every state has a right to legislate and implement national immigration policy.Nevertheless, no country on its own can address the complexity of migration without an international cooperation.

The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migrationis not an advocacy for more migration, as some are portraying it. In fact,every government desires to create conditions that allow its people to live and thrive in their respective countries.

Nothing in this Global Compact infringes on sovereignty nor authority of the state over its immigration policy.

It only aims to safe lives andmaximisethe benefits of migration for all—to migrants as well as countries of origin, transit and destinations through international partnership.

The success of the Compact is in its implementation. Indeed, how far we implement the objectives of the Global Compact will determine success of our future efforts onglobal migration governance.

If we fail to deliver, it will be a setback to our future efforts and would reinforce and entrench the position of doubters of the Global Compact.
Given the fate of previous regional and international initiatives, there is a need to develop a more systematic ways to implement the objectives of the Global Compact comprehensive and review its progress.

Let us make the most of this historic opportunity.

Mr. President,

Excellencies;

Eritrea, as a country with a proportionally large, well-connected and active diaspora community, recognisesthe significant role and contribution of aconscious and organised migrant community both for destination and origin countries.

Migrants are not objects, but as agents human progress.

We should harness the capacities of migrant and diaspora communities towards the implementation of the objectives of the Global Compact and other internationally agreed development goals. For that, we need remove the administrative and legal bottlenecks that impedes migrants and diaspora communities from becoming part of the solution to global challenges.

Let me conclude by reaffirming Eritrea’s readiness to further expand regional and international partnerships. It will work with all nations bilaterally and within the framework of the Global Compact to make migration a choice, safe and beneficial for all peoples and nations.

I thank you Mr. President.

Source: Shabait

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Statement By Mr. Nebil Said, Counsellor, Permanent Mission of Eritrea To The United Nations