Category: Politics

• Honorable Ministers!

• Distinguished High Ranking Government and PFDJ Officials!

• Distinguished United Nations Representatives!

• Distinguished Participants!

• All Protocol Observed!

Ladies and Gentlemen!

I feel highly honored and pleased to welcome you all to this launching of the three most important Ministry of Health documents, which include: –

1. The Health Sector Strategic Development Plan (2022-2026),

2. The Eritrean Essential Health Care Package, &

3. The National Action Plan for Health Security (2022-2026).

These three key documents are the most important tools to achieve the aspirations and expectations on the health sector of the Government and the Eritrean people.

The Ministry of Health governance is set in such a way that the existing National Health Policy provides the overall guidance to the health sector strategies that will be launched today.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Eritrea has made remarkable progress in the health sector since liberation, with changes so great that life expectancy is now close to 20 years more than that of 1991, which is twice the improvement seen in the African Region, as well as, close-to three times the global life expectancy improvement, seen during the same period.

The risk of dying before the age of 5 years was reduced by 75% & maternal mortality ratio was reduced by 82% between 1991 and 2020, which are among the best in the developing world.

Our existing National Health Policy, which was developed in recognition of the evolving national, regional, and global health context, is consistent with the country’s commitment, to maximize the health and wellbeing for all Eritreans, and residents of Eritrea at all ages.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The fact that Eritrea had strong Primary Health Care base, that begun before the liberation of the country, which proved its effectiveness in Eritrea’s success in achieving the Health Millennium Development Goals, means that, Eritrea has also strong foundation to do well, with Health Sustainable Development Goals. Hence, Eritrea’s Success in the Health Millennium Development Goal’s (MDG’s) shall be repeated with the Health Sustainable Development Goal’s (SDGs).

Ladies and Gentlemen!

The third Health Sector Strategic and Development Plan is designed to provide the overall strategic and implementation framework for the health sector priorities for a period of five years (2022-2026), and to contribute toward sustainable economic growth with social equity and justice.

The Ministry of Health shall promote the provision of essential health services at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary) of health care and across all age groups in line with the Eritrean Essential Health Care Package, which is one of the key documents that will be launched today.

The health sector shall also establish a comprehensive emergency management program, and regularly develop, review and implement its National Action Plan for Health Security, which is another key document that is being launched today.

Ladies and Gentlemen!

As you all know, formulating, enriching, and validating these three key documents, required a lot of hard work and the involvement of many individuals and organizations. At this point, on behalf of the Ministry of Health and on my own myself, I express my appreciation to the individuals and organizations who worked hard to produce these Ministry’s overarching documents.

However, policies, plans, and guidelines are only as good as their implementation. Hence, I would like to urge all our health workforce, to continue working harder to put the three documents into action.

At this point, I would particularly like to call for the continuous commitment of the Government sectors, development partners, communities, and health service users including individuals, and families towards effective implementation of the strategies, plans, and guidelines contained in the three key documents.

A brief presentation of these documents will be presented by my colleagues.

I Thank you all!

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

The Kunama ethnic group are one of the early inhabitants of Eritrea. They speak Kunama, which belongs to the Nilo-Saharan language group, and live in an area that is suitable for farming and rearing animals. The Kunama ethnic group is classified into four clans — Shuwa, Karawa, Gurma, and Serma.

Each clan has its own symbol of identification. The Shuwa are identified by a hoopoe, the Gurma by the trunk of an elephant, the Serma by the horn of a bull, and the Karwa by the moon. Every member of a clan hangs the symbol of their clan on the wall of the entrance to their hut.

Just like the other Eritrean ethnic groups, the Kunama have their own distinct culture and customs. Traditional Kunama community was matrilineal, a distinct attribute in comparison to the other Eritrean ethnic groups. Women had traditionally more authority than men, giving them an upper hand in decision-making within the family and within the community.

In the Kunama ethnic group as is the case in other ethnic groups, marriage is sacred. Furthermore, it is done with the will and consent of both partners. Families never force their daughters to marry someone they don’t want.

In arranged marriages, rare these days as forced marriage is banned in Eritrea’s modern laws, the mother took the lead in asking for the hands of a girl to be married to her son. Accompanied by her sisters, the mother goes to the would-be-bride’s parents house to ask for their daughter’s hand. After agreeing to forward the proposal to their daughter, the parents determine the next meeting date and bid the visitors farewell. When the would-be-bride accepts the proposal, her family and that of the would-be-groom’s start making preparations for the engagement and marriage ceremonies.

Unlike other ethnic groups in Eritrea, in the Kunama ethnic group the newly-wed spend their honeymoon at the bride’s parents’ house. This is done in order for the bride to be given very good care by her family. Three days after the wedding, the newly-wed are given gifts known as Anjiba Teda. The father and uncles of the bride offer cattle to the newlywed.

In many ethnic groups, an initiation rite was performed to mark the transition of young boys to manhood. In the Blen ethnic group, for instance, boys went through what is known as Shingelot as initiation rites. Similarly, young boys in the Kunama ethnic group undergo through Ana Ella when they turn 16. A fading ritual these days, Ana Ella was performed in September and its main purpose was to determine the physical and mental fitness of the young boys to be men.

Teenagers can be identified by their haircuts, which also reveals whether a young boy has successfully gone through the initiation rites. Those who successfully perform the initiation rites were allowed to grow their hair long or braid it if they want to. And those who had not passed the initiation rites or have not reached the right age to go through the rituals had their hair shaved on two sides of their head and can easily be identified.

Ana Ella involved many physical activities such as walking long distances, swimming in rivers and being flogged by a whip made of animal skin to test the physical and mental endurance of those being initiated. Ana Ella is said to have been completed after those being initiated go through the physical and mental pain for four to five days. Those who have successfully gone through the initiation rites are treated as fully grown men who can marry, rear cattle, and participate in the affairs of their community by giving opinions and by standing witness in front of the village assembly.

The Kunama ethnic group has a peculiar way of bidding the dead farewell. They wash the dead bodies and adorn them with gems. If an old woman or man dies, their body is escorted by a group of people singing. If a woman’s or man’s spouse dies, the widow or the widower mourns the deceased at home but does not attend the funeral.

The Kunama ethnic group are known for their dances. One of the most loved and respected dances is Kundra which is performed once a year in a thanks-giving sort of a ceremony. Kundra is performed in September in some places and at the end of December in some others. The songs played and the musical instruments used during the thanks-giving ceremony are used only on that occasion. The musical instruments used are giba and gila, which are made of a horn and hamham, hollowed and dried skin of a gourd, and no drums are allowed.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Dear Mr. Minister,

Dear friend,

Colleagues,

We are glad to welcome you to the Russian Federation.

We have good and long-standing relations, both at the state level and in our personal contacts. We highly appreciate it.

Our ties traditionally cover all areas, including political dialogue, economic interaction, cultural, humanitarian and educational contacts.

We highly appreciate the coordination of our delegations at international platforms, primarily the UN.

Of course, our contacts always include an exchange of assessments and an analysis of the state of affairs on the African continent. In this regard, your visit looks more than timely.

I look forward to useful talks aimed at moving our relations forward in all directions.

Source: Dehai Eritrea Online

The Forestry and Wildlife Authority organized one day workshop on 26 April in Asmara with a view to clarify objectives and boost contribution of partners and stakeholders in redressing the environment. Speaking at the event in which Ministers, Army Commanders, regional Governors, heads of government institutions and national associations as well as religious leaders took part, Col. Kinfe Habtom, General Manager of the Authority, said that so far commendable efforts have been exerted in many areas of the country in planting tree seedlings and water and soil conservation activities with a view to redress and stabilize the environment.

Pointing out the main objectives of administrations at all levels, Defense Forces and Security, media outlets, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Col. Kinfe called for integrated effort to address the challenges being encountered including illegal deforestation activities and others that are negatively affecting the environment.

Indicating that global climate change and damage of natural environment are among the main global calamities, Mr. Tesfay Gbreselasie, Minister of Land, Water and Environment, called for strong effort on the part of all stakeholders to conserve the existing forests and bring the environment to its normality.

Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture, on his part explaining the expected contribution of the Ministries of Defense, Land, Water and Environment, Agriculture, Forestry and Wildlife Authority as well as national associations, called for establishing a coordinating committee under the auspices of the Forestry and Wildlife Authority.

The participants conducted extensive discussion on the reports presented and adopted various recommendations.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Senior Eritrean delegation composed of Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Presidential Adviser Mr. Yemane Gebreab is on a two-day working visit to Russia on invitation of Mr. Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.

At a meeting they held today, Foreign Minister Lavrov briefed the Eritrean delegation on the genesis of the conflict in Ukraine, the objectives of Russia and the current situation.

The Eritrean delegation on its part reiterated Eritrea’s principled position, including in a press statement, and called on Russia and Ukraine to find a bilateral solution to their conflict.

The two sides also exchanged views on the current situation in the Horn of Africa as well as the African continent at large.

Furthermore, Eritrea and Russia agreed on concrete measures to upgrade political, diplomatic, trade, investment as well as educational and cultural relations.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

Afghanistan should join a list of the “worst of the worst” violators of religious freedom in the wake of the Taliban’s return to power, a U.S. advisory body is recommending to the State Department.

In its annual report issued Monday, the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom says religious minorities have “faced harassment, detention and even death due to their faith or beliefs” since the Taliban reimposed its harsh interpretation of Sunni Islam on Afghanistan. It also cited attacks on religious minorities by an Islamic State affiliate that is an enemy of the Taliban.

Afghanistan is among 15 nations that the commission says should be on the State Department’s list of “countries of particular concern.” The commission, in its report summary, defined these governments as the “worst of the worst” in tolerating or engaging in “systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom.”

The commission, created in 1998 under the International Religious Freedom Act, makes nonbinding policy recommendations to the administration and Congress. The State Department has adopted some but not all of its recommendations in the past.

In the new report, the commission recommends maintaining 10 countries currently on the State Department list, including China, Eritrea, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.

It also recommends adding four more in addition to Afghanistan — India, Nigeria, Syria and Vietnam. The commission criticized the Biden administration for removing Nigeria from the list last year.

The report said that in Afghanistan, many minority Jewish, Hindu and Sikh residents have fled the country after the Taliban returned to power. It said many members of other religious minorities, such as Ahmadiyya Muslims, Baha’is and Christian converts are worshipping in secret for fear of persecution.

Many religious minorities fled Afghanistan out of fear for what could happen under the Taliban, rather than in response to specific actions or edicts issued by the Taliban.

Some Sikhs still live and worship in Kabul, and the report notes that Taliban representatives visited a Sikh gurdwara or house of worship to assure them of their safety. But the report said many Sikhs and Hindus have fled to India “due to the lack of safety and security.”

The commission also cited a Human Rights Watch report of the Taliban attacking and seizing property of ethnic Hazaras belonging to the Shiite Muslim minority, plus an Amnesty International report of a Taliban massacre of Hazara men in 2021.

Several deadly attacks on Hazaras have been attributed to Islamic State in Khorasan Province or IS-K, which is hostile to the Taliban and has proven to be an intractable security challenge. The cover of the commission’s report includes a photo of a deadly attack by IS-K on a Shiite mosque last year in Kunduz province.

The report echoes CIA World Factbook data from 2009, which said non-Muslim Afghans comprised a tiny fraction of the population. It said 99.7% of Afghans are Muslim, most of them Sunni Muslims, with about 10% to 15% Shiite Muslims.

“The Taliban, while they promised they would form an inclusive government, promising they would be a different kind of government, their actions have proven otherwise,” commission chair Nadine Maenza said in an interview. She said that even members of the Sunni majority who don’t share the Taliban interpretation of Islamic law are being required to conform to strict dress codes and other measures.

The annual report, while based on developments in 2021, foreshadowed worries about a Russian invasion of Ukraine, citing religious persecution in Russia of Jehovah’s Witnesses and of religious minorities such as Muslim Tatars in Crimea, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. The State Department first designated Russia as a country of particular concern last year.

“We fear that violence will continue to increase because of Russia’s blatant violation of religious freedom in Russia and in this conflict that exists in Ukraine,” said commission member Khizr Khan at an online news conference Monday.

This year’s report marks the first time since 2001, when the Taliban last ruled in Kabul, that the commission recommended designating Afghanistan as a country of particular concern, the report said. The State Department last year already listed the Taliban on a similar list of non-state violators of religious freedom based on its actions before returning to power in August.

The commission recommended sanctioning individual Taliban officials deemed responsible for severe violations of religious freedom and urged that those facing persecution receiving priority in refugee resettlement.

In its report, the commission cited Myanmar’s military for “atrocities against religious communities”; China for detaining Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims “arbitrarily in concentration camps, prisons and forced labor”; Pakistan for enforcement of anti-blasphemy laws that endanger minorities; and India for worsening conditions for religious minorities under its Hindu-nationalist government.

The commission also recommended that 12 countries be placed on a “special watch list” due to religious freedom concerns. They include three on the State Department’s list — Algeria, Cuba and Nicaragua — along with Azerbaijan, the Central African Republic, Egypt, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Turkey and Uzbekistan.

Source: Voice of America

Eritrean Ambassador to the Republic of South Sudan, Mr. Yohannes Teklemicael met and held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities, and Minister of Education-Central Equateri State of the Republic of South Sudan.

At a meeting held on 20 April, Ambassador Yohannes Teklemicael and Mr. Mayiik Ayii Deng, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan, talked on strengthening bilateral ties as well as regional development and integration.

Underlining on the significance of regional integration in the peaceful development and prosperity of our region Ambassador Yohannes called on the countries in the region to play due role to that end.

Mr. Mayiik Ayii Deng, Minister of Foreign Affairs of South Sudan on his part commending commended the support the people and Government of Eritrea are extending to the people and Government of South Sudan expressed his country’s readiness to develop the bilateral brotherly relation toward economic integration and relationship.

In related news, Ambassador Yohannes met with Ms. Flora Gebriel Lora, Minister of Housing, Land, and Public Utilities of South Sudan on 21 April and discussed on issues of mutual interest as well as on the activities of the Eritrean community in South Sudan.

Commending the role of the Eritrean community in the reconstruction and economic development of South Sudan, Ms. Flora expressed conviction to meet the demands of the Eritrean in the country.

Ambassador Yohannes also had similar discussion with Mr. Cristo Zakaria Lado, Minister of Education-Central Equateri State of the Republic of South Sudan.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea