Eritrea: Land of
Can-Do People!

ERI-NEWS

National Service: A toolfor EconomicDevelopment, NationalCohesion and theDefence of Sovereignty

Bi-Weekly Newsletter
Permanent Mission of the State of Eritrea to AU
and UNECA
Press Section
President Isaias Received the Special Envoyof the President of Senegal
President Isaias Afwerki received andheld talks, on 6th of December 2016,
with Mr. Mamadou Talla, Minister ofTrade of Senegal and Special Envoy ofPresident Macky Sall.
President Isaias expressed to theSpecial Envoy that Eritrea looks ahead
to strengthen ties of mutual cooperation
and reach common consensus on perti- Mr. Talla on his part, pointing out thatnent issues regardless of geographicalEritrea has strategic importance to hisdistance between the two countries.
country, expressed his country’s readiness
Stating that the African Union has not to reinforce the relations between the two
lived up to the expectations of theAfrican people nor materialized its countries. The Special Envoy expressedfounding principles, President Isaias that his country looks forward to Eritrea's
underlined that joint effort is highly support for its candidate for the position
decisive in meeting the envisaged goals. of Chairperson of the AU Commission.

International Human Rights Day Commemorated in Asmara

Vol 3. Issue 60
21 December 2016
Inside this issue:

Government ofEritrea and the UN 3
Launched the SPCF
2017-2021
False Reporting by
3
Al-Mayadeen
Eritrea-France
Investment andPartner’s Event
Held in Paris

4Eritreans in UK
Staged Peaceful4Demonstration
Against the Illegal
Occupation andUnjust Sanctions

process. Hence, equal rights andAsmara Heritage
opportunities sanctioned by national
Dossier Won thelaws are promoted. Dignified livelihood
Royal Institute of 5
targeting poverty elimination is evolvBritish Architects
ing and the equitable distribution(RIBA) Awardof resources ensured. Above all theThe UN adopted the Univerresponsible participation of the people
Contact Addresses:
sal Declaration of Human Rights to set
Tel: +251-116620052
has prevailed.
out common standards which every
Fax:+251-116620011
country should strive to achieve. The In this vein, the rule of law is also Email:eritreanaumission@
gmail.com
essence of this is promotion of the ide- instituted but fast tracking the political
P.o.Box: 5527
als of humanity. Human Rights Day is process to strengthen the infrastrucAddis Ababa, Ethiopia
an opportunity to reflect on the human ture that enhances human rights is aEritrean Mission torights situation globally and its implica- vital goal. Revised national codes have
AU& ECAbeen
declaredandwriting
anewconstitions to Eritrea.
tution is on course. The initiative to@EritreaAU
As a country that emanated from thereorganize government institutions
struggle for human rights, Eritrea has(Contd. on page 2)
mainstreamed it in the nation building
Text of the Statement by Mr. OsmanSaleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs ofEritrea, at a ceremony organized inAsmara to commemorate HumanRights Day on 09 December 2016.

Vol 3. Issue 60, 21 December 2016

Page 2Eri-News

International Human Rights Day Commemorated in Asmara... (Contd. from page 1)
and administrations is also ongoing to consolidate guidance and effective services.
The above are home grown pragmatic efforts driven
by an independent political stance. They embody
national ownership and priorities. They are based on
Eritrea's context, needs and human betterment ideals.
Peace and stability thus prevails, as an achievement
earned by the effort and sacrifice of all the citizens.
However, there is no complacency, as there is a long
way to go. But the achievements and resilience of thepeople and government to sustain this development Humanity is faced with the challenges of global injustrajectory epitomize the nation's strength.
tices aggravated by geopolitical agendas and interests.
The ongoing plan now is to redouble the efforts and The prevailing level of underdevelopment and global
poverty also poses challenges to human and people’s
create a qualitative leap in the foreseeable future.
rights.
On the other hand, Eritrea still faces existential
external threats i.e. occupation, illegal sanctions and Every nation faces human rights challenges. However,belligerent stances. Neither has these threats the politicization of human rights by the powers ofsucceeded to roll back Eritrea's progress, nor have domination to vilify and destabilize nations is unlawthey subdued the resilience of the people and govern- ful and constitutes a grave danger. The human rights
ment. Even so, they all constitute a violation of the architecture is already suffering from the emerging
human and people’s rights and depict the failure of polarization as a result of this situation.
the international system.
In the above context, the all-round development basisof rights including the right to development is negated.
Dichotomy in the handling of rights, the focus being
on political and civil rights, has become symptomatic.
The pressure on developing countries to leap frog
political rights at the expense of economic, social andcultural rights is also being used as a means ofcoercion.

Besides, Eritrea has been targeted under the politically motivated, country specific resolutions
and mechanisms of the Human Rights Council. This
futile attempt is perpetuated to subdue the nation
under the pretext of human rights. Nevertheless,
Eritrea continues to strengthen its bilateral, regional
and international level engagement and cooperation including on human rights. The UPR in particular serves as a vital entry point and the evolving
cooperation partnerships with the UN and EU areconsidered important in this respect.

In the event, the Human Rights Council as abody formed out of the failure of its predecessor
seems to be at the crossroads and is fallingprey to the above situation. The Human Rights
Day is thus a solid reminder of the need torectify the looming functional crisis in the international system.
On this occasion, I wish to reiterate theEritrean Government’s commitment and responsibility to advance human rights to its people. It will
also strengthen its engagement and cooperation as
well as join the collective effort to address the emerging crisis in the global human rights architecture.
I thank you!

Vol 3. Issue 60, 21 December 2016

Page 3Eri-News

Government of Eritrea and the UN Launched the Strategic Partnership Cooperation
Framework (SPCF) 2017-2021
The Government of Eritrea and the UN launched the Eritrea’s National Indicative Development Plan
Strategic Partnership Cooperation Framework (SPCF) (NIDP). She also added that the SPCF makesfor 2017-2021 on 1st of December in Asmara. At the reference to the Africa Union Agenda 2063 and thesame time the UN in Eritrea and partners commemo- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
rated the 71st anniversary of the United Nations.
The key note speaker for the event was H.E. Berhane
The event was held at the National Confederation of Habtemariam, Minister of Finance, who was repreEritrean Worker’s Union and attended by Govern- senting H.E Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign
ment officials, senior officials from the People’s Affairs. He attributed the success of SPCF 2013- 2016
Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), Ambassa- and achievement of some MDGs to the close collabodors and members of the diplomatic corps, UN staff, ration between the Government and the UN. He also
added that the results and challenges of the first SPCF
development partners and the media.
2013-2016 will be useful in informing the implemenIn the statement read on behalf of the UN SecretaryGeneral, Mr. Ban Ki-moon for UN Day, it was noted tation of the next SPCF 2017-2021 and the implementhat in 2016, humanity entered the era of sustainabil- tation of the SDGs.
ity – with a global commitment to fulfil the promiseof the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. “In
this, the Organization’s 71st year, we have 17 goals topropel us towards a better future for all on a healthyplanet”, he added.

Ms. Leila Gharagozloo-Pakkala, Regional UN Development Group focal person for Eritrea and UNICEF
Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa
also graced the event. In her remarks, Ms. Pakkala
said that her mission to Eritrea focused on discussing
While delivering the opening remarks, UN Resident/ ways that the Regional Director’s team can continue toHumanitarian Coordinator and UNDP Resident support the work of the Government and the UN famRepresentative Ms. Christine N. Umutoni said that the ily, including the operationalization of the new SPCF
new SPCF starts on 1st January 2017 and is aligned to 2017 – 2021. She commended the work of the UN in(Contd. on page 5)
Ministry of Information Press Statement

False Reporting by Al-Mayadeen
In its evening programme, “Maydania”, of current
news analysis (7:00p.m.-8:00p.m.) on 13 December,the Beirut-based Arabic TV channel, Al-Mayadeen,
wrongly asserts, that the “United Arab Emirates has
acquired a 30-year lease for a military base in the Portof Assab”.

The TV channel was requested by Eritrea at the time
to explain its sources, rectify the false news, anddesist from unwittingly serving as a gullible mouthpiece for sinister forces who harbour hostile agendasagainst Eritrea.

The latest false story broadcast by the same channel isThis is not the first time for Al-Mayadeen to broad- evidently curved from the same mould. Periodic
cast wild and speculative news on Eritrea in a highly disinformation on Eritrea will not serve the interests
dramatized manner and without rudimentary verifica- of Al-Mayadeen’s audiences and only dent the reputation of the TV channel.
tion.
On 20th June this year, Al-Mayadeen had falsely
claimed that “Israel has completed the construction ofits largest listening post at Emba-Soira, Eritrea … to Ministry of Information
monitor maritime movements in the Bab-el Mendeb Asmara
14 December 2016
and eavesdrop on Iran.”
Vol 3. Issue 60, 21 December 2016

Page 4Eri-NewsEritrea-France Investment and Partner’s Event Held in Paris
The Embassy of the State of Eritrea in France
launched the Eritrea-France Investment and Partner’s
Forum with an event designed to bring together
friends and partners of Eritrea. About 40 friends,
diplomats, investors and Eritrean counterpartsattended the event which took place on the 3rd ofDecember at the Embassy premises in Paris.
The participants’ areas of expertise and affiliation
included tourism, wildlife, telecommunication,
investment, research, media, public relations andinto the resolute rebuff of the Eritrean people againstinternational organizations.
the sanctions resolution, the ongoing effort tostrengthen national capacity, food security, improvement of the quality of life, human capital development
and the establishment of local governance systems insupport of the grassroots democratic process in thecountry. She also elaborated on the investment opportunities that exist in Eritrea.
Ambassador Hanna Simon, Eritrea’s Ambassador toFrance, presented an overview of the present
situation in Eritrea, development activities andprospects and various issues related to the nationbuilding process. The Ambassador gave an insight

One of the speakers at the event, Mr. Sebastien
Crozier, Vice President of Orange Telecommunication
Ltd, highlighted the exemplary struggle waged by theEritrean people for independence and gave an accountof his continuous support. He commended the perseverance and spirit of Eritreans, and pledged tocontinue his support towards Eritrea’s development.

Eritreans in UK Staged Peaceful Demonstration
Against the Illegal Occupation and Unjust Sanctions
Eritrean nationals residing in the UK and friends ofEritrea staged a demonstration in London calling forthe respect of the rule of law, urging Ethiopia towithdraw from occupied sovereign Eritrean territories in accordance with the final and binding ruling of
the Eritrea-Ethiopia Boundary Commission (EEBC)
as well as an end to the unjust and illegal sanctions
against Eritrea.

put an end to its illegal occupation of sovereign
Eritrean territories, in addition to calling on the UKand other guarantors of the agreement to shoulder their
responsibility as demanded by the Algiers Agreement.

The peace demonstration held on 12 December infront of the British Prime Minister’s Office involved
over 1,500 Eritrean citizens and friends of Eritrea.
The demonstration was held in connection with the14th anniversary of the EEBC ruling and aimed at A petition signed by over 5 thousand Eritrean nationreminding the British government as member of the als and foreign friends was submitted to the Office ofthe British Prime Minister.
UN Security Council, to apply pressure on Ethiopia
Vol 3. Issue 60, 21 December 2016

Page 5Eri-News

Asmara Heritage Dossier Won the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Award
The application dossier presented to UNESCO as partof the bid to inscribe Asmara in the World Heritage
List won the 2016 President’s Medal for Research of
the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).
The project entitled “Asmara-Africa’s Modernist
City” was prepared in collaboration between
Mr. Medhanie Teklemariam, Mr. Dawit Abraha fromthe Asmara Heritage Project and Dr. Edward Denison
from Bartlett School of Architecture. The dossiercontains more than 1300 pages of photographs depicting Asmara’s historic buildings.
Dr. Duncan further underlined that Eritrea’s effort toconserve Asmara’s early colonial era architecture
represents a profoundly different attitude towards
architectural heritage and its interpretation andtreatment compared with many other post colonialsettings.
For the past 50 years the Royal Institute of British
Architects has been awarding successful projects thatreflect changes and innovations in architecture, andthat display a commitment to designing and developing buildings and spaces for the improvement andenhancement of people’s lives.
At the opening of the ceremony held in London on 6
The application to inscribe Asmara in the World
December, RIBA President Dr. Jane Duncan said that
Heritage List is expected to be approved in the firstAsmara, home to buildings like the Fiat Tagliero ishalf of 2017.
not short of extraordinary buildings.

Government of Eritrea and the UN Launched the Strategic Partnership Cooperation...
(Contd. from page 3)
the country and the good collaboration with govern- The new SPCF will commence in January 2017 andment and other partners in achieving tangible results. will end in 2021. It has four strategic areas (pillars) forinterventions and cooperation: 1) Basic social
Other speakers at the event included Mr. Afewerki
services; 2) Environmental sustainability, resilience
Tesfai, Director, Office of the Minister, Ministry ofand disaster risk management, 3) Public sector capacNational Development; and, Mr. Ibrahim Sambuli,
ity development; 4) Inclusive growth, food security
UNFPA Representative. Ms. Pelucy Ntambirweki,and sustainable livelihoods. The new SPCF is guided
UNICEF Deputy Representative made a presentationby the UN “Delivering as One” approach, ensuring aof the SPCF who clarified to the audience that; thecohesive response to national development priorities.
SPCF is the agreement between the Government ofIt was developed through a consultative and participaEritrea and the UN on selected areas of work that will
tory process reinforcing the principles of aid
constitute development cooperation over the next fiveeffectiveness and mutual accountability.
years.

Vol 3. Issue 60, 21 December 2016