Month: December 2021

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Statement by H.E. Osman Saleh at the 8th Ministerial Conference of FOCAC

Your Excellency Aisata Tall Sall, Foreign Minister of Senegal and Chair of this Conference;

Your Excellency Wang Yi, State Councilor of the PRC and co-chair of this Conference;

Your Excellencies Heads of Delegation and Honorable Ministers

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Allow me first to join previous speakers to express the profound appreciation of my delegation to the Governments of Senegal and China for organizing the 8th FOCAC Ministerial Conference and for the warm hospitality accorded to us.

This Conference could not have taken place at a more auspicious time. In these turbulent times, our global community continues to be afflicted by a vicious pandemic, climate change and a polarized international order fraught with dangerous consequences to global peace and stability. These colossal challenges require joint efforts. We need to consolidate robust frameworks of international cooperation as embodied in FOCAC and similar regional/international frameworks.

In this respect, let me focus and highlight two aspects from the speech of the Rapporteur of the East Africa Region.

My first comment is on the imperative of common endeavours and aligned Africa-China positions within the UN family on international and regional issues of paramount importance. This is critical at this point in time to counter a regressive trend by powers who cannot countenance the reality of a more balanced, mutually beneficial, multi-polar international order.

In this lopsided worldview, Africa is seen as a mere pawn. It is seen as a captive backyard, without any right or latitude to interact with its international partners to advance common interests. As a result, accepted norms and rules of international law continue to be trampled, and, flagrant breaches of the sovereignty of nations and peoples committed with impunity. Indeed, the positions taken by certain powers in the conflict in Ethiopia and the imposition of unilateral sanctions on Eritrea are manifestation of this misguided approach. In the event, Africa and China can work together to ensure the integrity of international law. The task includes bolstering the role and mandate of the UN, and, the strengthening of multilateralism based on legality and symmetry.

The second comment I wish to make is in regard to sustainability and proper balance of Africa-China trade. China’s multi-faceted support to Africa remains substantial and commendable. But as we shift towards greater two-way trade in the period ahead, optimal trade balance both at the continental and individual country level will be achieved when and if Chinese investment enhances value addition in Africa. This will require China’s involvement not only in the primary but also in the secondary and tertiary levels of manufacturing. Africa has invested substantially in its human capital in the past decades. As a result, its young and dynamic labor force has the latent potential, vision, and ambition to venture into the high-end manufacturing subsector.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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Eritrea at the Afrima Awards

“To be represented in three categories of one of the biggest competitions on the African continent is a massive win for the country’s art industry.” Yonas Mihretab (aka Minus), Comedian and Director

As his name keeps shining across the entertainment industry of the coun¬try, Yonas Mihretab (aka Minus) strives more to make his name shine across Africa with his famous Hamidda music video, which has won the Afrima Awards (Africa’s Grammy Award) Competitions in the Best Art¬ist, Duo or Group in African Traditional category. Artists from Nigeria, Cameron, South Africa, Ethiopia, Angola, Kenya and Uganda were among the shortlisted nominees in this category. Eritrea was represented in three categories at the competition through Minus, for Best Duo or Group Traditional African Artist, Merry Zerabruk, for Best African Female Artist in East Africa, and Raimon Tesfai, an Eritrean who lives in the Netherlands, for Best African Act in Diaspora.

We got hold of Yonas Mihretab during his busy schedule and had a brief interview?

• Congratulations! This is big, how does it feel?

It’s an amazing feeling. Afrima is one of the biggest competitions on the continent. It is truly an honor to be a winner of this award. For Eritrea to be nominated in three categories at its very first nomination at the competition means a great accomplishment for the art industry in general, a great leap for all Eritrean artists in particular, and a much bigger homework for all of us to do much better.

Personally, this breakthrough has made me see things through a different angle to where I can be as an artist. We can make Eritrea be globally known in art by participating in international competitions. There are also other great artists like Efrem Kahsay (aka Wedi Kuada) competing and winning in international competitions.

• Would you please tell us about your video clip?

Almost two years ago, we came up with an idea for a song in Tigrigna and Arabic while I was working with Natnael Solomon on WediShuq (a comedy). For some reason the idea wasn’t put to action until recently. When we were done with the music arrangements and made the music video, we were ready to submit it to various competitions to be recognized by our neighboring countries and fortunately it was already nominated at Afrima.

What makes it exceptional is the angle of the idea. The good acting and the comedy can be considered its plus side. Hamida is a common girl’s name in the Rashaida ethnic group, which is why we chose it to be the title of the song. We put in a lot of effort to make the setting match the Rashaida habitat and culture. We focused on the Rashiada culture more to give the video life. The music production was done by Naod Fitwi and the nine ethnic group music production.

• How do you feel about working with young artists like the music production group?

I wouldn’t call myself an experienced artist. I know for a fact the power an experienced and a young talented artist have; they are totally different. Generally speaking, in art I feel people who are beginning to do something in their career have just enough enthusiasm and energy to produce a good work of art. I believe in all the artists who are starting to be great at what they do. Also, I have worked with the music group for quite some time now, and I am impressed with their accomplishment. They all have big dreams, and I am proud of them all.

• Did you face any challenges in making the music video?

There were challenges, no doubt. Hamida took on a big budget to make. But in making it we weren’t really looking for big financial benefits or anything else, we just wanted to be known for making a good video clip. So the making of the video took all the energy, skills and knowledge of all the more than 50 individuals who participated. Until recently the video stands at 1.8 million views on youtube.

• Anything else you’d like to say at last?

The three of us who have represented Eritrea in the Afrima Award Competition are not there because we are better than other artists. There have been great artists in the past and there are great artists today and there will be other great artists in the future. I believe we were lucky to get the opportunity this time. The question is “How do we get to the top together as artists, guiding and helping one another?” We all need to consult one another and work together to get better and enter even bigger event.

I would like to thank everyone who has taken part in the making of the music video. Besides, I would also like to thank all the fans who have given their votes for Hamidda to win because voters had a 50% say in determining the winner.

• Congratulations to all of you again

Thank you.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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Call for effective administrative provision

The Governor of the Central Region, Mr. Fesehaye Haile called on the newly elected area administrators, managing directors and village coordinators to live up to the public expectation and diligently and fairly serve the people that elected them. The call was made during an interview the Governor conducted with Erina.

Commending the conscious and strong participation of residents in the elections conducted at the 16 administrative areas starting from 7 November, Mr. Fesehaye called on the elected area administrators, managing directors, and village coordinators to play a leading role in ensuring social justice.

The Governor of the Central Region, Mr. Fessehaye Haile also commended the outgoing area administrators, managing directors and village coordinators for their relentless effort in the fight to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and called on them to transfer their experiences and expertise to the newly elected administrators.

According to the report from the Central Region Administration over 300 representatives from each administrative area participated at the elections conducted respecting the guidelines issued to contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of the elected 83 administrative areas and 83 managing directors 31% were females and out of the 209 village coordinators 45% were females.

This year’s elections were delayed by a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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World HIV/AIDS Day observed

World HIV/AIDS Day was observed today, 01 December at national level at the Orotta Referral Hospital Hall in Asmara under the theme “Ending Inequality, Ending AIDS, Ending Pandemic”.

Indicating that even though the number of infection in the country is not alarming there are still vulnerable members of the society, Dr. Araya Berhane, head of Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health, said that Eritrea is contributing its part to realize the global initiative to ‘End HIV/AIDS’ by 2030.

Commending the progress Eritrea has registered in controlling the prevalence of the killer disease, Ms. Therese Poirier, UN AIDS Country Director, called for community based effort to totally eradicate the disease that is still posing major threat worldwide.

According to the report presented by Sister Negisti Tesfamicael, head of HIV/AIDS control unit at the Ministry of Health, the number of infection in the country to date is 0.36% and called for integrated effort on the part of all stakeholders for better outcome.

The event was featured with artistic and cultural performances depicting the day.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

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Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences held its Commencement

Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences (OCMHS) held its annual graduation ceremony on Saturday, 27th of November, at the premises of the University of Asmara. The ceremony, which was the 11th commencement of Orotta College of Medicine and Dentistry (OCMD) and the 13th of Asmara College of Health Sciences (ACHS), was attended by members of the academic commission of OCMHS, department and program heads of the college, families of the graduating students and representatives of the graduating class of 2021. OCMD and ACHS were separate colleges before their merger in 2018 to form OCMHS.

With a mission to produce competent, compassionate and knowledgeable health professionals who meet the healthcare needs of the country, OCMHS has graduated this year 230 students, of which 52.6 % were female, in general medicine, pharmacy, nursing, clinical laboratory science and environmental health, dentistry, optometry, radiology technology and public health.

At its 13th commencement, ACHS has graduated a total of 194 students, 51.8% in degree and 48.2% in diploma programs, while OCMD has graduated a total of 36 students, with a degree of doctor of medicine, at its 11th commencement. Since its inception, ACHS has graduated a total of 4753 students, 2060 in degree and 2693 in diploma programs, and OCMD has since its inception graduated 409 doctors of medicine and 83 dentists.

In line with the launching of the postgraduate specialist training program in clinical medicine, the Government has allocated money for the recruitment of highly qualified professionals who work both as instructors and as clinical and specialized health service providers. Currently, there are 14 expatriate clinical professors working at the college.

After acknowledging, in his speech, the Eritrean government for its commitment to train highly qualified healthcare professionals, Dr. Yemane Seyoum, dean of the college, shared his sincere congratulations and wishes of luck to the graduates and their families who attended the ceremony as well as those that had to graduate in-absentia to avoid overcrowding and maintain distancing made necessary by Covid-19.

Dr. Yemane reminded the graduates that while they were students at the college they were taught to start thinking like doctors, nurses, pharmacists, clinical laboratory science operators and public health professionals. He said it did not take the college long to realize that each one of the students had remarkable and unique perspective to bring to the medical education in the coursework, during the physical exam, on clerkships and while taking care of patients. Dr. Yemane assured the graduates that the college has prepared them to face challenges during their future medical practice in any heath care providing facility and community setups and called on them to be prepared to devote their professional energies not only to their patients’ needs but also to the unmet health needs of the society as a whole.

Speaking on behalf of the graduating class, Yonathan Araia congratulated his colleagues, thanked the instructors and said although the world has never been as connected as it is today due to advances in science and technology, it is more divided than ever. But in Eritrea, he added, unlike the developed nations where individualism and ego-centrism are characteristics of many youngsters and college students, we do everything together, helping one another morally, academically and socially.

Yonathan added, “Most of us had the opportunity to serve our community and tried to use the knowledge gained in college to help those in need. There is no greater merit and satisfaction; nobody can argue about that.”

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea