Eritrea Wire

For Eritreans, Nakfa is the most significant place of resilience, love, devotion, ingenuity and determination. It was the stronghold of the EPLF and a haven of freedom fighters for justice and dignity. It is a sacred place where our beloved freedom fighters’ spirit rests in eternal peace.

Once liberated in 1977, Nakfa was never captured by the Derg army despite several attempts. The principle of self-reliance was incubated in Nakfa and it flourished there.

It was in 1998, during the TPLF invasion, that I came back to Eritrea for the first time and visited Nakfa with my niece, Selam. At the bus terminal, I came across a veteran freedom fighter, Botul Adem, who was born and raised in Nakfa. Botul curiously asked me if I came from Asmara. Then, she looked at me with sympathetic eyes and asked me if I had a pledge. I momentarily run out of words and only smiled. Indeed, that was the purpose of my visit to Nakfa: to pay respect to our martyrs, including my beloved brother, Menghsteab, relatives and many who lived in my neighborhood who are resting in peace in Nakfa,

Like many Eritreans who grew up during the armed struggle for liberation listening to Dimsi Hafash radio station, and after liberation in the diaspora, reading the remarkable history of the struggle, published under the title Meswati waga Harinet (Martyrdom, the price of Liberation) and other similar publications, I came to the conclusion that Nakfa is a holy place that deserves a place in the heart of every Eritrean. Nakfa’s place in the hearts of Eritreans is so great that people should go on a pilgrimage to Nakfa just like religious people go on pilgrimage to Mecca or Jerusalem.

Freedom fighters have a lot to share about their personal, social, political, economic as well as spiritual experiences. From their narrations about Nakfa, many of us learn the significance of the struggle, the freedom fighters and the liberation front. And by looking at the wounds of survivors, one could read into the extraordinary resilience and endurance of freedom fighters.

The extensive interviews, books and short stories as well as the revolutionary songs are excellent references that help to appreciate the significance of Nakfa and the ultimate sacrifice paid by freedom fighters.

Visiting Nakfa in person brings one closer to those who gave their lives for our freedom. One feels it deep in the soul and a communion with all the spirits of the martyrs — the cream of the society who sacrificed their lives for the liberation of Eritrea.

Pilgrims who visit Jerusalem or Mecca believe in the blessings they receive by going to the holy places, and I know many Eritreans go on pilgrimage to Mecca or to Jerusalem. I would like to suggest that as an expression of our love and reverence for our martyrs, we need to develop a national tradition of making Nakfa a destination for pilgrims.

Nakfa is an important place to visit for any peace, justice and equality loving people anywhere in the world. Nakfa and its miracles belong to all regardless of faith, gender or ethnicity as our martyrs were men and women from all ethnic groups and social and religious backgrounds of our society.

Source: The New Humanitarian

Nationals residing in the UK, France and Belgium celebrated 20 June Martyrs Day with patriotic zeal.

Eritrean nationals in the UK cities of London, Manchester, Birmingham, Coventry, Leeds, Sheffield, Cardiff, Leicester, Middleborough, Glasgow, Wakefield, Nottingham, Liverpool, and New Castle commemorated 20 June, Martyrs Day featuring various programs depicting the day.

The commemorative event organized in London at the Kingston Park was attended by Eritrean Ambassador to the UK and North Ireland, religious leaders as well as invited guests.

At the occasion, the nationals contributed 16 thousand 504 Pounds towards augmenting the National Trust Fund.

At the commemorative event held in the French cities of Paris, Nantes, Rene, Lyon, and Lille the nationals expressed conviction to live up to the expectations of the martyrs and reinforce participation in the national affairs.

Similarly, nationals in Brussels commemorated Martyrs Day with candle vigil and cultural and artistic performances depicting the day. They also contributed 500 Euros towards augmenting the National Trust Fund.

Nationals in Cincinnati, the US, and Aweil, South Sudan, also commemorated Martyrs Day with patriotic zeal. The residents of Aweil contributed 3 thousand Dollars towards boosting the National Trust Fund.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea

President Isaias Afwerki received at Denden Guest House in the morning hours of today, 23 June, credentials of 10 Resident and Non-Resident Ambassadors.

The Resident Ambassadors that submitted their credentials are Mr. Igor Mozgo of Russian Federation, Mr. Ahmet Demirok of the Republic of Turkey, and Ms. Mary Babodo Frances of the Republic of South Sudan.

The Non-Resident Ambassadors that submitted their credentials are Mr. Saleh Bin Suleiman bin Ahmed Al-Harthi of Oman, Mr. Puttaporn Ewtoksan of Thailand, Mr. Saed Mohammed Mohammed Abdela of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Ms. Nura Abba Rimi of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Mr. Ezzedin H. Tago of the Republic of Philippines, Maj. Gen. Vilio Hifindaka of the Republic of Namibia as well as Mr. Okaniwa Ken of Japan.

At the meeting with President Isaias, the Ambassadors discussed on the regional and global developments, on areas and sectors of partnership and cooperation, as well as the overall situation of their countries including challenges and opportunities.

President Isaias and Ambassador Igor Mozgo of Russian Federation discussed on the development of bilateral relations in general and that of agricultural sector in particular as well as on the possibility that Eritrea could cooperate on economic and political sectors.

At a meeting with Mr. Puttaporn Ewtoksan of Thailand, President Isaias called for the development of bilateral ties in the sectors of tourism, fish resources and agriculture, and especially on introducing modern technology and development of human resources.

Mr. Okaniwa Ken of Japan also invited President Isaias and Foreign Minister Osman Saleh to attend at the 8th Tokyo International Conference on African Development to be held in Tunisia. President Isaias on his part called of reviewing the progress and impact of TICAD and the African Union to have role in the organization.

At a discussion with Mr. Saleh Bin Suleiman bin Ahmed Al-Harthi, President Isaias indicating that stability of Yemen is vital in the region, called on Oman to play its part on the issue and expressed readiness of Eritrea to cooperate.

Speaking to Erina, the Ambassadors expressing satisfaction for getting the opportunity to work with the people and Government of Eritrea, expressed readiness during their stay in the country to exert strong effort to develop bilateral relations and cooperation in all sectors.

Source: Ministry of Information Eritrea