Vol 26. No. 70 Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

news brief Dentistry Service in Afabet Hospital As part of the effort being made to fully equip Afabet Hospital, the hospital has been equipped with dentistry equipment and the needed human expertise.

According to Dentist Esmael Tahir, the Hospital has started providing basic teeth and gum treatment service and that complex dental treatment will begin in the near future.

Mr. Mulugeta Tsegai, Head of administration and finance of Afabet Hospital, also noted that the start of dentistry service coupled with the previously introduced eye treatment services has enabled residents of Afabet sub-zone and nearby administrative areas to get full medical services. President Isaias holds talks with UN Indicating that emergency service for infants will start in the near future, Mr. Mulugeta commended residents for their contribution in the Deputy Secretary General construction of the dentistry ward. President Isaias Afwerki met, on struggle and subsequent phase of towards concrete cooperation Beneficiaries on their part explained that they were compelled to go 26 October in Adi Halo, the joint nation-building The joint UN-AU delegation to Keren or Asmara for dental medical care, and said that the start of the UN-AU delegation led by Deputy held series of meetings with the dental care unit has alleviated their problem. Secretary General, Ms. Amina At the meeting extensive Ministers of Justice, National Mohammed. The delegation discussion was conducted focusing Development, Information, Labor Afabet Hospital provides pre and neo natal services, laboratory, came for a two-day visit to Eritrea’s developmental progress, and Social Welfare as well as X-ray, surgery, first Aid, dental and eye treatment services. Eritrea to highlight “the critical endeavors being undertaken to President of the National Union role of women’s meaningful meet the Sustainable Development of Eritrean Women (NUEW) participation in peace, security and Goals (SDGs), women’s vital and visited several projects development” role in all these areas as well as including Mislam Dam, Nefasit- Tourism Resource Management Training effective measures that should be Dekemhare-Serha road that is The Tourism Service in the Central region in cooperation with the President Isaias underlined taken to rectify and reverse Africa’s under construction. Eritrean Tourism Service Provision Association organized one-week that the joint high-level visit marginalization. training focusing on tourism resources management. was testimony to the deepening During an interview with the of cooperation and engagement The UN Deputy Secretary national media outlets, Ms. Amina The training program included information exchange, basic meaning between Eritrea and the UN. General applauded Eritrea’s Mohammed said that she was of tourism resources and services, as well as acquainting with the rich President Isaias elucidated Eritrea’s developmental achievements amazed to observe the progress heritage and historical sites. experience in the national liberation through mobilization of internal Eritrea is registering from its own resources and asserted readiness resources. At the closing ceremony held on 25 October, the Director General of the UN to support the Eritrea- of Tourism Services in the Central region, Ms. Liya Gebreab, stressed Ethiopia Peace Agreement that has The joint UN-AU delegation the importance of the training, and said that it will have significant Road renovation created conducive climate in the has also conducted similar visit to contribution in the development of the tourism industry. popular campaign Horn as the process of transitions Somalia, Ethiopia and Djibouti. Mr. Solomon Abraha, Chairman of the Eritrean Tourism Service The inhabitants of the Provision Association, also called on the trainees to apply the training administrative areas of Hiret and Material support to NAEWDV they received on the ground and contribute their part to the development Adi-Lagin, Adi-Keih sub-zone, of the tourism sector. are conducting 22 km dirt road The German branch of the National Association of Eritrean War-disabled renovation activity connecting Adi- Veterans Association extended material support to the Denden Camp Keih town with Ashara. clinic. New road under construction The popular campaign that The material support that was handed over on 29 October included A new road linking Adi-Quala with Endagiorgis is under started on 25 October is to renovate four refrigerators, four stoves, four washing machines and other kitchen construction. the road that has been damaged due utensils. to flooding. The popular campaign According to the coordinators of the project the new road will go is also assisted with machinery. Mr. Husein Kelifa, chairman of the branch office in Germany, said that through the villages of Mai-Mtchekat, Enda-Hish and Geza-Keren to the material support was extended by the Eritrean community members in link Endagiorgis and will replace the Adi-Koteio road that has been According to the coordinators the city of Boblingen. difficult for vehicles. of the program, upon completion of the renovation activity, the road The head of Denden Clinic, physiotherapist Sirak Gebremeskel, said that The coordinators also indicated that the inhabitants of the area will provide transportation service the material support will have significant contribution in the daily activity and members of the Eritrean Defense Forces are making significant to 15 villages in the area. of the clinic. contribution. The residents expressed readiness Mr. Tekeste Fisehatsion and Mr. Yohannes Mebrahtu, heads of the branch The Administrator of Semomo administrative area, Ms. Freweini to strengthen participation until associations in Sweden and Holland respectively, said that the support to Gebrehiwet, called on the residents to encourage the members of the completion of the renovation war disabled veterans is not to be left to the Government only and called Defense Forces until completion of the construction of the road. activity. on every citizens to play due part. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 2

Educational service in Hagaz sub-zone

Habtom Tesfamichael fertility, lower infant and maternal of the main causes of late school In many schools, the languages the mortality and longer life expectancy enrollment for children of all ages teacher and the students speak are Education is enshrined in the than countries that have not achieved and genders. To ease these problems, different. “To solve this problem, we Eritrean national charter not only as high participation levels of girls. some programs are underway such have recruited teachers by ourselves as a basic human right but also One of the millennium development as the opening of para-boarding to fill the gap. We will continue to as a cornerstone for economic goals is to eliminate gender disparity schools where students are provided work like this until a lasting solution emancipation. Education is given in all levels of education. with meals in their schools. is found,” says Mr. Saleh. particular focus for its role in developing human resources as Efforts have been made to narrow Enhancing community feeding There is also shortage of female well as improving the public health gender disparity in education. Eritrea programs in schools has also been teachers. The percentage of female and general living standard of the has been successful in reducing in progress as a mechanism to solve teachers is very low in Hagaz people. gender disparity in education. The low level enrollment. The objective sub-zone and it is further skewed number of women who learn at of the programs is to raise the towards the urban center. The Ever since the dawn of Hagaz subzone is one of the the tertiary level of education is enrollment of children in primary presence of female teachers, apart independence, the Eritrean nine sub-zonal administrations of increasing and is surpassing men schools and solve the problem of from providing positive role models, government has made extensive the Anseba region with around 63 in some cases. But this is not the distance to schools. is desirable in the primary school large and small scale investments in thousand population. Three ethnic same in all regions and ethnicities When students pass the General because women tend to be caring education that have resulted in major groups live in this area: Tigre, of Eritrea. “In the Hagaz sub-zone, Examination in the eighth grade, and effective in teaching children at changes in the overall educational Tigrinya and Bilin ethnic groups. female participation in the primary they continue their secondary school their early age. system in the country. This area was one of the places school up to the junior school level is in Hagaz. Students who come from with low access to education prior proportional with that of males. But the remote areas must rent houses, So far the focus has been on The Government of Eritrea to independence. Today, around 23 when they reach eighth grade and and if they cannot afford it, they are increasing access to educational always underlines that the country’s schools have been established. Out of pass to the secondary school, female transferred to boarding schools in opportunity. “Though we cannot say determinant resources are its human the 15 local administrations, 13 have participation drops significantly. In places such as Agordat and Keren. we are providing perfect quality of resources and that in addition to schools ranging from pre-school to terms of ethnic participation, most of In many cases their parents do not service, the service which is being being a basic right, education is the secondary school. According to the the females enrolled in schools are want them to leave for extended provided is improving from time to primary tool to fight poverty, illness, Ministry of Education branch of from the Tigrinya ethnic group. This period of time and this compels the time,” adds Mr. Saleh. backwardness and ignorance. The the Hagaz sub-zone, this year alone shows that there remains much to students to quit. This is one of the government has also pledged to there are more than 10 thousand be done to increase the participation main problems that are increasing “When we see it in terms of strive relentlessly so as to enable students enrolled. of women from the other ethnic school dropouts in the sub-zone. providing basic educational nationals explore their potentials groups,” Mr. Saleh says. opportunity and expanding access to and develop their skills for the Mr. Saleh Ibrahim, director of To solve this problem, the junior education, the progress is noticeable maximum benefit possible. Due the Hagaz sub-zone branch of the According to Mr. Saleh, one schools have to be upgraded to and effective. From now on we will emphasis is also given to closing the Ministry of Education, said that in of the main problems that are secondary schools, Mr. Saleh says. focus on improving the quality of gap in access to education among addition to these schools, alternative hindering girls from continuing The junior schools are equipped with education that is being offered,” he different sections of the society. crash programs have been opened their education is the distance they all facilities necessary for secondary adds. Here, we will look at the educational for students who were unable to start travel from home to school. This schools with the ultimate goal of progress of the Hagaz sub-zone in at their proper school age and for has long prevented girls’ access to upgrading them to secondary schools Mr. Saleh commends the local the Anseba region. those who dropped out of school due education. Early marriage is another in the long-run. Unfortunately, and sub-zonal administrations for to different reasons. These students major factor that leads to girls’ every year the number of students their cooperation in every activity are assigned to middle schools after abandonment of formal education. who pass the eighth grade general of the schools in the sub-zone. completing the elementary level. In collaboration with stakeholders, examination is below 100, a number For example, last year the sub- the Ministry of Education’s branch that does not meet the Ministry of zonal administration donated 330 Gender disparity has serious in Hagaz is working to raise Education’s requirement to open a thousand Nakfa to the secondary social, political and economic awareness of communities about the secondary school. school for electric supply and to implications. Educated women are Published Every harmful effects of early marriage. cover the roofs of the secondary Published Every better equipped to enter the paid Mr. Saleh says “one of the major school with steel sheets. Similarly, SaturdayPublished & Wednesday Every labor force which is critical to the Many schools, particularly those hurdles we are facing with teachers a plan is underway to construct Wednesday & Saturday survival of the many female- headed Saturday & Wednesday in remote areas, are not only far from is not the number of teachers and playing grounds in the secondary households. Moreover, nations the students’ homes, but students their qualification. The problem is school with the cooperation of the with higher levels of female school Acting Editor have to walk long distance through that in the last couple of years we sub-zonal administration. Acting Editor participation show higher levels difficult terrain and unlit roads in have had shortage of teachers who Amanuel Mesfun of economic productivity, lower order to attend school. This is one teach in their mother tongue”. The Ministry of Education’s [email protected] Mesfun branch in Hagaz has been engaged [email protected] in providing literacy and post- P.O.Box: 247 literacy programs to adults as P.O.Box: 247 well as schooling opportunities to Tel: 11-41-14 out-of-school youth. It has also Fax: 12-77-49 been endeavoring to create literate E-mail: environments and prevent relapses [email protected]@[email protected] zena.gov.er through the establishment of rural libraries for newly literate citizens. Advertisement: 12-50-13 Despite numerous constraints, Layout the sub-zone has made remarkable achievements in education. AAzmerazmera BerhaneBerhane Sara Alem Nevertheless, there is still a long AidaSaraSara JoharAlem way to go to provide quality primary and secondary education. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 3

History of Eritrean Cycling - Eritrean Aspirations for Dignity and Independence Part I

Abrahaley Habte A country of no consequence! the spice Eritreans use in their and Asian teams, inconceivable As the Eritrean trailed the best daily diet, but too hot, for the some ten to 15 years ago. The An elated Eritrean wrote this A country in the troubled Horn, of the bunch behind Italians’ liking.] roots of such success lies in the poem after Daniel Teclehaimanot Where terrorism is a thorn in determination of the cyclists who got to the podium in the Tour de Africa’s sides Leaving them panting, sweating, The poem, however, doesn’t confronted Italian, British, and France, wore King of the Mountain tired and exhausted. encapsulate the feelings the Ethiopian colonial governments jersey, and kept it for four days in And where famine claims lives Eritreans experienced at the time to respect their rights, and their the summer of 2015. by the thousands Daniel, a man of few clear words only, but also can express the right to participate and compete A region ravaged by drought and plain feelings they experienced whenever in the cycling contests organized Let’s invite the Eritreans in Eritrea and for just treatment during the contests. Let’s give the Eritreans some cards However, few have the tortuous and difficult path Eritrean Let’s invite them cycling has taken in the past, and the many challenges it had to to the great race overcome to come to this level. Many fail to understand that the To the Tour de France popularity of the sport has its roots in the support it enjoyed The King of all cycling from the Eritrean population in its contests. difficult and trying earliest days. To understand the basis of its Of course, they will have little popularity it may be necessary to chance get to its roots, and understand the political context that shaped the Against the Contadors, the reactions of the Eritrean people Greipels, and the Froomes of the as they experienced racism and game oppression, and how the game channeled their feelings against As everything is stacked against their colonizers. They need to them recognize the fact that as in football, cycling was a game through which It will be the swift-footed racing the Eritreans tried to show their against the lame. identity as a people, and convince their colonizers that they deserved It is true – they are the champions to be treated as a people, worthy of Africa of self-government. and worn-down. they defeated their oppressors in But what good can come out of Heard what the organizers said. the game in the past. It describes The Italians (who introduced the Dark Continent? the Eritreans’ desire for respect the bicycle to Eritrea in 1905) Thirdly, the organizers listed “Go and read the wise Aesop and fair-treatment, based on merit, used it for postal exchange at Only poverty, war, misery and again,” and condemns racist attitudes, the time. However, it didn’t take sorrow One very difficult hurdle. which have followed Eritrean long for the Eritreans to adopt the He suggested, cycling from its beginnings machine, and make it part of their A success story? The Eritreans have no during the late Italian colonial daily life, using it for sporting experience, “And learn a lesson from the period until the present. A recent competition. In their 80-year Not from the Africa we know. boasts of the hare.” example is the racist remarks a cycling history, they mastered The Tour de France people Ukrainian cyclist threw at Natnael the tricks of the game and have The Eritreans have little decided The 2015 Tour de France was Berhane, a few years ago, and the made themselves Africa’s cycling chance, a great moment, which filled the comments by journalists, who giants. Eritrean cycling developed At the end, they will have to Eritrean people with pride, one have described Eritrean cyclists as to such an extent that Jock Boyer, the organizers repeated; slink away that showed to the world what an the first Africans to achieve such an American cycling coach and Eritrean cyclist can do. It parallels a success, as if such successes are former Tour de France racer After all, they are from Africa Licking their badly bruised the joy and pride the Eritreans beyond the ability of Africans. (https://www.theglobeandmail. wounds. felt in 1948 when Weldemichael com/world/article-the-bicycle- And the dark continent’s perfect *** Asghedom, nicknamed Berbere After Daniel has blazed the horn-of-africa-how-cycling- replica. Surely, these are not the (whose story Haddas Eritrea carried trail, a number of Eritrean cyclists became-a-part-of-eritreas/) Eritreans, several years ago), and another have followed in his footsteps and speaks of Eritrean cycling not as In addition, the organizers Eritrean named Gherezgiher are competing for well-known a game, not as a sport activity, but agreed a commentator gasped Weldetatios beat Italian cyclists teams. Now, Eritrean cyclists as a culture. “Eritrea is the only in the heart of Asmara, when they have become cyclists not to be African country that has such They are from a poor country How come then ...? were allowed to compete against taken lightly in the international deep roots in cycling. It’s a deep- them for the first time. [Berbere, arena. Due to the extraordinary seated culture. Every young kid in Never heard of before His words died on his lips. the Italian coach then admitted, success of Eritrean cycling, In complete disbelief, the was such a strong competitor that professional Eritrean cyclists are With no cycling history organizers gaped he was like berbere, red pepper, playing for different European continued on page 5 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 4

thed ahlak cisterns Tekleweyni Negassi found abundantly everywhere in the village Dahlak kebir and they are the current villages and ruined still in use. When you set foot on the Dahlak settlements. Though many of them The second types of cisterns are Islands, the first thing that struck are still in function and serving the found in a few villages and ruined your mind is how people managed to people, many of them are also either settlements; they are locally known survive here. The Dahlak Islands are deposited or filled with silt or they as ¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬Sanda. These types an archipelago or composed of many are out of water. Except during the of cisterns are located alongside small islands located around 50 kms few rainy seasons, the water from the little gorges in order to get the Far East of Massawa, Dahlak being this kinds of wells are too salty. So flowing rain water. They have the largest island in the Red Sea is the locals used it for their animals a square opening without any the largest of them. It is a coral reef and for washing their house hold enclosure; in addition, they are island which is almost flat area with utensils. carved through the rocky limestone, absence of large geological features for a depth of 2 up to 4 m distance. such as mountains, valleys, gorges Another kind of water reservoirs They have a diameter of 1m and are …etc. Besides there is a very little may suggest the trade based on the century later the British James Bruce are the cisterns which found in a plastered with the grey mortar. annual rainfall and throughout the geographical strategy and some stated that he had seen 360 cisterns great number in most of the current year Dahlak has harish tropical can say the tortoise shell and pearl at the village. Later on at the second villages and ruined settlements of The third type are only found at climate. This led to grow a few fishing which Dahlak is best known half of 20th C. Puglisi recorded 70 the Dahlak Island. These cisterns the village of Dahlak Kebir, and species of shrubs and grasses of for. But the basic thing is the water cisterns at the same village. Today usually constructed along the small they are very few in number. These vegetation as pastureland for camels preservation mechanisms which each ruined settlements and the rifts and channels of the Island for cisterns are also the largest ones; and goats and also to a few gazelles. enables the people to survive and surviving villages have minimum Maybe all this is the reason why that’s the cisterns. ten cisterns and wells around, and in they call it ‘Dahlak’, based on many cases the number of cisterns preliminary information, derived The cisterns in the Dahlak Island exceeds the number of households. from ‘Dar Halak’ an Arabic word, found in a great number and people It is difficult to identify the number meaning ‘The horrible Land ‘. And throughout history depended on of cisterns, as many of them buried for sure the name suits the island these cisterns for their prosperous with silt and almost covered by the very well. civilizations. The locals attribute vegetation, so it is not possible to the tradition of construction of wells estimate the total number of cisterns. However, when you further and cisterns were belonged to the Either way Dahlak was well known explore around you simply notice Farsi or Persians. Off course the for the abundance of cisterns and various settlements, ruins, graves, Persians had controlled and had their availability of fresh water, and cisterns and so many other traces influence in southern Red Sea coasts as mentioned in many historical of civilization. These traces belong and Islands in different periods of accounts, Dahlak is the source of to different periods of time in time, yet it still remains to establish fresh water for coastal settlements history, which extended from the historical accounts regarding the such as Massawa until 1870’s and the ancient Adulite period until Farsi traditions. also for merchants and travelers of the purpose of filling rain water. The they have a rectangular plan with the recent historical sites such as the Red Sea. rainwater entered naturally from the largest of them around 15m x Nakura. But one can only wonder According to the oral tradition the area around, sometimes canals 5m, and they have a depth not more as how such civilizations flourished of the locals also, there were 365 As the numbers of the cisterns carved in the rock to facilitate the than 4 meters. Some of them have throughout history despite the cisterns in Dahlak, each cistern meant differs from place to place so their passage of the water. pillars inside to support the ceiling harsh and waterless environment? to provide per a day throughout the structure and construction techniques. above which is built by coral stones It was known that almost all of the whole year, but no one proves the The most common are the wells that Basically there are three types and tempered with locally made civilizations and traces of human number. For instance, in the 17th C. are carved in the compact rocky of cisterns in regard to their gray mortar. One of The well- kind were based alongside water AD a Turkish traveller Evliya Celebi limestone or coral reefs of Dahlak construction techniques. The most known cistern among these is the resources such as valleys. So how can wrote about Dahlak and mentioned with a cylindrical shape, one meter common cisterns have a circle Sultan cistern; it has a rectangular societies lived in such environment that there were 600 households each diameter and a depth from 4 to 20 opening; most of them are enclosed plan of 8m x 4m and has an arc for more than two thousand years? one of them having cisterns in the meters. The depth varies upon the by a ring shaped wall not more than designed ceiling. It is plastered very The answer lays on the view, some village Dahlak Kebir. However, a surface elevation, in which on the 30 c.ms long, and usually a diameter well with the grey mortar also has a higher elevations it reaches to 20 of 1m. The inner parts of the cisterns 10m canal towards it. Locals believe meters and on the lower elevations have a pot like oval shape and most that it was built by the sultanates and especially on the grounds below sea of the time it measures up to 8m was used exclusively by the sultan’s level the depth goes for few meters in diameter and a depth between household. to reach the table water. This depth 2m and 4ms. They are carved in allows the wells to reach the table the compact rocky limestone, but As mentioned above the Dahlak water. During the rainy seasons the rarely there are cisterns having a cisterns are marvelous and wells filled with rain water through wall constructed with coral stones, outstanding structures which can flooding and the fresh water occupied and they are heavily plastered with show how people can survive by the space as the salty table water strong grey mortar inside in order manipulating their environment. retreated, because it’s denser than to prevent leakage. In many cases They have also a great potential for the fresh water. However, during there are as long as 40 m long canals being selected in the world heritage the dry seasons and most part of the carved to use as a passage for the list as they represent a master piece year, when the fresh water finished drainage to the cisterns. Such cisterns for human creative genius and the salty table water conquered the are also locally called ¬¬¬¬Sari and exceptional testimony of different wellsAmphorae_stacking again. These kinds of wells they are used for drinking water. past civilizations in Dahlak and are locally known as Sari and they Most of these cisterns are found in Eritrea. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 5 History of Eritrean Cycling . . .

cyclists, contrary to Fascist propaganda, is probably the only one who was black to the Fascist government to issue race laws continued from page 3 proved that black people were not inferior participate among the Italians at that time. I was the large percentage of working-class and were capable of extraordinary cycling recall a specific game; I saw him cry when settlers. The regime had conceived of the country has tried cycling to see if they feats. They showed that they did not lack he finished third following two Italians. AOI as an outlet for Italian unemployed can make it onto a team. They’re highly cycling skills and fitness during the British At that moment, I promised to myself and workers and landless peasants. While motivated and dedicated.” period. friends that I was to compete among the agricultural settlement by and large failed Italians and win. That was a promise I didn’t ... the empire did attract thousands of The cycling culture which Jock Boyer Similarly, during the Ethiopian occupation want to break.” unemployed workers. In 1935, Mussolini speaks of developed not only because cycling contests between Ethiopian shipped 50, 000 Italian workers to Eritrea, Eritreans loved the game but also because provinces (of which Eritrea was made one Such attitudes among Eritrean cyclists to prepare the infrastructure necessary it helped them make political statements in 1962) mirrored the struggle waged in (about their capacity) did not begin to for the invasion [of Ethiopia]. Moreover, about their identity, their aspirations for the field between the Ethiopian occupation develop in the 1960s but much earlier, in demobilized soldiers provided a large independence as a people different and army and the fighters. the late 1930s. In 1939, an Eritrean cyclist percentage of Italian settlers, and we know separate from their colonizers be they named Ghebremariam Ghebru defeated from reports regarding soldiers’ reallocation Italians, or Ethiopians, and their desire In an interview by Asmait Futsumberhan several Italians in a special race organized that most of them found employment as for respect as human beings, and against (www.tesfanews.net/tekeste-weldu-jegante- by Italian colonial authorities three years unskilled workers. Proletarian settlers discrimination due to the colour of their eritrean-cycling-legend), Tekeste Weldu, after cycling races started in Eritrea, which, could become an asset for Mussolini when skin or their political stance. Reading the an Eritrean cycling legend who was born in at first, allowed only Italians to participate. he boasted that Italy was a ‘proletarian history of Eritrean sports, and especially the late 1940s and began competing at 12, That victory “shattered colonial Italian nation’; but when rhetoric gave way to Eritrean cycling, tells this story of Eritrean shares the feelings (with other Eritreans) myths about Eritrean inferiority”, and reality, workers instead became a source of resistance to occupation and oppression. that urged him in his cycling contests in the confirmed what the Eritreans saw on the embarrassment. A number of sources report 1960s, and underlines the role the feelings ground. that Africans, seeing the Italians performing Sport in Eritrea, in general, and cycling played in the game, and how they influenced manual labour, commented that ‘Italians before 1991, in particular, was closely the cyclists’ determination. It is important But Italian attitudes about white superiority brought their white slaves with them’.... associated with the political conditions to note that Tekeste Weldu expresses such were indefensible and went against the Italian working-class settlers made racial of the various periods, in which Eritrean feelings more than 20 years after the defeat reality on the ground. In ‘Mussolini’s hierarchies dangerously unclear: the more cyclists competed. The cyclists reflected the of the Italians by the British in 1941 and the colonial race laws and state-settler relations the class blurred the divide between the feelings of the Eritrean people which, in turn, end of Fascist rule in Eritrea. in Africa Orientale Italiana (1935-1941)’ colonizers and the colonized, the more race mirrored their stand against oppression and Guilia Barrera, an Italian researcher, shows laws needed to clarify this divide.” their political aspirations for independence. “Back when I just started to take interest why Mussolini was compelled to issue in cycling and started to watch the races, the race laws of the 1930s. Barrera states: Eritrean cyclists saw Italian cyclists in During the Italian colonial period, Eritrean there was a guy named Kahsai Lemlem. He “Another important factor that encouraged this light.

continued from page 6 System Maintenance • 3 Years in Information Systems and 2 years in programing • Having fulfilled his/her • Train and individual users on • Update, maintain and control experiences National Service obligation and adhoc / needs basis. data integrity of the Business • Certificate in NAV system provide evidence of release paper Installations Intelligence data. will be an added advantage from Ministry of Defense. • Setup software installation • Perform data analysis to • Present clearance paper from for new users, assign permissions facilitate data conversion and support Technical Skills current/last employer to users and setting up of access efforts. • Testimonial documents to levels. • Assist with the maintenance • Intermediate Computer be attached (CV, work experience • Conduct applications setup of license agreements and keep Literacy (MS products, NAV system) credentials, a copy of your National to meet specified business processes. ensure that these are kept up to date. • Understanding of the business Identity Card etc.). processes and end user job tasks / • Only shortlisted applicants System Enhancement • Assist with the implementation requirements would be considered as potential • Participate and carrying out and installation of program fixes. • Business process candidates for an interview. of assigned tasks in NAV system documentation, Analytical and • Application documents will enhancements and version upgrades. Business Process Flow Programming skills not be returned back to sender and. • All applications should • Provide support to user • Participate in identification Behavioral Skills be sent through the post office requests to introduce modifications and documentation of business process to existing functionality. flows. • Attention to detail , • Deadline for application: • Assist with the documentation Interpersonal Relations, Confidentiality 10 days from the day of • Conduct a requirement of improved processes. and Proactive publication in the Newspaper. analysis on system enhancement • Communication (English and requests and act on these. Administration local language) • Address: Please mail your • Time Management, Planning applications to; • Support NAV implementation • Maintain and store all project and Organizing skill Bisha Mining efforts by designing and coding and systems related documentation Share Company, (programming) specific functionality according to standards and General Information P. O. Box 4276 such as reports, pages and data ports, procedures. and other requirements: Asmara, Eritrea document the project according • Note to Eritrean to standards and procedures. Qualifications: Place of Work: Bisha site. applicants: • Diploma/Degree in Computer Salary: As per Company salary Please send a copy • Develop the NAV system Science or Information Systems scale. of your application to to improve Business processes. • Diploma in Finance/ Type of Contract: Indefinite Aliens Employment Accounting will be an added advantage Permit Affairs, • Prepare system and user Additional requirement for P. O. Box 7940 documentation or user manuals. Knowledge and Experience: Nationals: Asmara, Eritrea. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 6

• Prepare system and user documentation (manuals) for all system processes. • Ensure that all related changes are documented and that manuals are continuously maintained. • Provide training to end users as and when required. VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT • Identify training requirements on business systems for individual employee groups to familiarise them with the use of the changes or the system • Ensure that all training documentation is signed off by individuals Bisha Mining Share Company PLC is inviting interested applicants for the attending the training. following positions. • Administration 1. Position: NAVision Systems Analyst Department: FITS/Finance • Responsible to provide weekly report to F&A Superintendent on Number required: (01) business systems activities. • Provide documentation to Training Department to capture on their Primary Purpose system. Supervise, train, support and advise NAV system users to ensure that system • is used to provide in departmental reporting needs as well as provide support Human Resource Management with other information systems to be integrated with the main system. • Manage work performance of employees reporting directly into this position. Major Duties and responsibilities:- • Identify training and development needs in line with the training needs analysis. Advise and Provide Assistance in Business Systems • Ensure that performance is in line with departmental objectives. • Manage the log of assistance calls which are logged on Help Desk • Manage performance through counselling, training and disciplinary system. process. • Monitor on calls logged and provide guidance and assistance to NAV • Mentoring/Coaching individuals to ensure personal development. Support Officer. • Manage performance appraisal by identifying individual goals to be • Sign-off on system on support requests that have been finalized. met and bi-annual reviews with individual employees. • Qualifications: Implementation of Projects • Diploma/Degree Computer Science or Information Systems • Identify and manage new project implementation as well as project • Degree in Accounting will be an added advantage team. Knowledge and Experience: • Ensure that new projects are communicated and that meetings are scheduled to define timelines, objectives and priorities, Ensure that update on • 5 Years’ experience in Information Systems environment and 2 Years status of project is communicated to relevant stakeholders, Provide scope of the Programming skills project together with the outcome requirement for each project. • 2 – 3 Years System implementation experience and Certification in • Engage and communicate with product vendors to provide solutions NAV System when necessary. • • Follow-up and ensure that project team activities are aligned with the Technical skill: project vision. • Ensure that acceptance testing is signed off on finalisation of the • Advanced Computer Literacy (MS Office products, NAV system). project. • Knowledge of FITS and other Business policies, procedures and processes Business Systems Enhancement • Accounting, Analytical and Programming skills • Report writing, Financial reporting and Business process analysis/ • Identify enhancement projects or tasks to be executed to ensure better documentation utilisation of the product. • • Manage approved enhancements and version upgrades. Behavioural Skills: • Act on approved user requests to introduce new functionality or • Attention to detail and Interpersonal Relations skill (English) modifications to existing functionality and Conduct a requirement analysis • Proactive, Time Management, Coach/Mentor, Supervisory skill required by management and users. • Deadline driven, Plan, organize and execution skills • Coordination and involvement in implementation of new reports and functionality • Ensure that all new implemented functionalities are documented 2. Position: NAVision System Support Officer according to standards and procedures and Establish and agree priorities for Department: FITS/Finance user requests Number required: (01) • Business System Maintenance Primary Purpose

• Ensure the update, maintenance and control data integrity of all Business Provide NAV system support to end users and improve Business Process Intelligence Data. flows through installations, system enhancement and maintenance. • Monitor, maintain and ensure that licence agreements current and are consistent with the requirements and Responsible to ensure implementation and Major Duties and responsibilities:- installation of program fixes. • Identify and motivate the requirement for new systems to be integrated User Support and Training with current system. • Check the Helpdesk Management System daily, respond and resolve • support requests. Business Process Flow • Advice users when they encounter problem / error messages and follow through to resolve. • Identify and document current business processes flows and provide • Use current procedures to resolve queries and Train groups of users assistance and guidance to improve on processes and Ensure that new or when new upgrade is installed. improved processes are documented. • Train users on the NAV system and other reporting systems. • Train groups of users when new upgrade is installed. Training Business Systems Users continued on page 5 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 7

PROCUREMENT Request for Expression of Interest NOTICE (Individual Consultant) Long term IT Expert in Tax ERITREA Administration Eritrea Strengthening Tax Eritrea Strengthening Tax Administration Project (ESTAP) Administration Project (ESTAP)

1. The Ministry of Finance of the State of Eritrea has received grant financing from the African Development Fund for strengthening Sector: Government domestic resource mobilization through a project “Eritrea Grant Number: 5900155015701 Strengthening Tax Administration Project –ESTAP”. Project ID No. P-ER-K00-002

2. The principal objective of the Project is to provide a strategic The Ministry of Finance of the State of Eritrea has received grant platform for domestic resource mobilization and support the financing from the African Development Fund for strengthening government plan to accelerate and strengthen tax administration domestic resource mobilization through a project “Eritrea by modernizing tax collection and compliance procedures Strengthening Tax Administration Project –ESTAP”. The overall through automation of Inland Revenue Department (IRD) objective of the Project is to strengthen tax administration capacity business process and enhancing critical skills and competencies through computerization of Inland Revenue Department (IRD) of revenue administration staff. business process and enhancing critical skills and competencies of revenue administration staff. Part of the project is to recruit long 3. The project includes the following two components: term Information Technology (IT) Expert in Tax administration to support the IRD. a. Component 1: Enhancing Inland Tax Administration systems and procedures. This component include: i) The long term IT Expert in Tax Administration will support IRD introducing a new tax administration software that allows computerization process throughout the project and support electronic taxation services to be delivered in an interrelated IRD ICT reform agenda in acquiring Integrated Tax Administration manner; ii) Training IRD staff on new business processes, System based on Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) solution or and iii) developing new tax procedures. The scope of this developing integrated tax administration software application; component includes providing an integrated tax software resolve problems of IRD IT infrastructure and applications in application based on a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) general. taxation framework, training staff and providing IT equipment. The Ministry of Finance now invites eligible individual candidates to indicate his/her interest to provide IT technical services as b. Component 2: Human resource capacity building to long term IT Expert for Eritrean tax administration. Interested enhance tax compliance and increase tax collection. The individuals must provide information and updated Curriculum objective of this component is to enhance staff skills and Vitae indicating that they are qualified to perform the services. professionalism in critical tax administration areas in order to improve compliance and revenue collection. Activities Eligibility criteria, establishment of the short-list and the selection under this component include: i) Train staff in tax audits and procedures shall be in accordance with the African Development investigation to enforce compliance ii) Technical assistance Bank’s Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations, to train staff on new tax administration tools. October 2015, which is available on the Bank’s website at http://www.afdb.org . Interested IT experts may obtain further 4. Procurement of goods and acquisition of the services of information (including the ToR) at the address below. Consultants will be in accordance with the Bank’s Procurement Policy for Bank Group Funded Operations, dated October 2015. Expression of interest must be delivered to the address below by Bidding and/ or Request for Proposal (RFP) documents are 15 November 2019 at 15:00 and mention “Long Term IT Expert expected to be available in November 2019. for Eritrea Strengthening Tax Administration Project”.

5. Interested service providers and bidders may obtain further Ministry of Finance information, and should confirm their interest, by contacting: P.O. Box 198, Asmara, Eritrea Attn.:-Mr. Efrem Tesfai (Project Coordinator) Ministry of Finance Tel.: +291-120404 P.O. Box 198, Asmara, Eritrea Fax: +291-126899 Attn.: Mr. Efrem Tesfai (Project Coordinator) Email: [email protected] Tel.: +291-120404 Fax: +291-126899 Email: [email protected] Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, October 30, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 70 8

Mrs. BENITA DIOP, AU special envoy on Women, peace and security

What we have said as women for The world needs to share Eritrea’s recipe of “union, equality and peace, security and development from both the AU and the UN was listen to the women in Eritrea and the leadership. And what we found dividend of peace” according to UN DSG Amina J. Mohamed is something that we need to echo “There are countries that have done none with more opportunities. But Eritrea with its own resources is doing a because we need to change the narrative. I think here we have seen lot on development. I am excited because I’m witnessing the real Eritrea, not Eritrea on Social Media.” a country that has been resilient despite challenges. A country that Billion Temesghen has been striving to show the world that it has been working to develop its own economy. A country that A joint high-level UN-AU delegation, led by Deputy Secretary General Ms. Amina Mohammed, made a two-day has put women as part of its undertakings for development. work visit as part of a series of visits to neighboring countries of the Horn. During its stay the high-level delegation Speaking with the Head of State met with the President, the Ministers of Justice, National Development, Information, Labor and Social Welfare of Eritrea we realized that this is and the President of the National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW). The delegation further held an interactive normal; Eritrean women fought for session with young Eritrean professionals. The delegation visited several projects including Mislam Dam, the liberation and now are on the field Nefasit-Dekemhare-Serha road that is under construction and more. I spoke to both the heads of the UN and AU working on agriculture and much delegation. Read today’s Q&A as we give you a glimpse of their stay and experience in Eritrea in their own words. more in the fight for development.

We at the AU have put in place, along with the UN, programs for on the priorities of this country; a to start understanding the country’s conversations and activities for the young people to connect so that country that has come out of war priorities. We need to know where the future. We are hearing from young they share their experience and into peace. And that is actually country is coming from and where people who tell us what they would accelerate and innovate. So it will what we wanted to hear because it would like to go and together see like and how they’d like to be part be important to involve young that is what we need to support. We how we can support that. The UN of the networks that are regional and Eritreans as well. had an inspiring discussion with has been in Eritrea for a long time global… so we’ll need more, not us the President who reiterated what and intends to stay as long as it can. giving you prescriptions, but you I have been very happy about has been learned from a journey There are many different aspects telling us what you need. That will my visit to Eritrea. I will take the –through war and isolation into of the UN that the government is help us find solutions together. message to the AU but also to my peace and the importance of keeping speaking with now to see how we sisters in the African Women’s the peace not just for Eritrea but the can consolidate that partnership. Thank you for your time. Is there regional integration for the Horn of That is what we’re bringing in terms anything you’d like to put on an Africa and the rest of Africa. of the system, which is pretty big. ending note?

You’ve had a chance to meet And if you may, Mrs. Deputy Yes. I think there are three things the President of NUEW and had a Secretary General, what will your that Eritrea should share with the Deputy Secretary General, Ms. round table discussion with young role be in the process you just world. The first is what we saw and Amina Mohammed professionals over traditional Bun! mentioned? felt as well, your unity. There aren’t How was it? many countries that are as unified Welcome to Eritrea. Your For me this is about advocacy for as you are and I think that the next impressions and thoughts on your And what a better note to come the things that Eritrea is doing well. generation should share this value mission to Eritrea… and speak with young people and To amplify that so that people can see with young generations across the the Eritrean women who have been and feel encouraged by the stability border. The second trait is how the We arrived yesterday on a joint on the forefront in the struggle for that is being created in the political government has approached equality. solidarity mission for peace, security movement. I have actually been freedom, and, now, in the fight will to have peace as a future not I think in many countries inequality and development. We went straight to Eritrea during the border war. I, for sustainable development! We just for Eritrea but the region as is the root-cause of destructions that to the filed. We experienced the then, met with Mrs. Luul Ghebreab realized the challenge of finding well. Moreover, it will be also about we see. And last, whatever Eritrea investments that Eritrea is making and visited the war field. We visited a seamless transition from one addressing the challenges. What has gained as a dividend of its past in infrastructure; we visited the road the displaced camps and young generation to another; having the more challenges and gaps have we must be carried on as a dividend that connects to Ethiopia. We also men and women fighting in the young people at the front with their got? Whether it is in development for peace in the future; and that is saw a multi-purpose dam, which for war. The disaster of war was heavy vision, energy and capacities and or human rights, all of that needs to based on gender equality. You have us is really important to witness how but we saw women who stood support them to strengthen their be addressed if one is to be an equal it in many places. Don’t take it for Eritrea has focused on water and is next to their brothers to defend capacities and make sure that they member of the global community. granted and you, the young people, actually putting its own investment their nation. We appreciated what are taught of what Eritrea has done And so I see this as the first of many must hold on to it tight as well. in it. Most exciting about that was the young women were selflessly and what it can do both for Africa seeing young Eritreans involved: doing back then; nevertheless, we and for the globe itself. engineers from Eritrea, but also really hoped for peace. And today, from the diaspora. We ended up I comeback at a time when Eritrea You are the second high level in a dairy farm where we saw and Ethiopia have made peace I am delegation of the UN visiting entrepreneurship of a woman and glad to have been here on this joint Eritrea within a time frame of a her family producing products equal mission. month. What is the reason behind to global standards. this? I have been in good contacts You have also met with the with several Eritrean women The fact that now Eritrea is Eritrean leadership. How was it to having had a chance to work with engaging with the world is a big actually speak with the ministers them in different contexts. The thing. It has been in isolation for a and the President himself? intergenerational cooperation of the long time. We know that there are youth and the old working together remaining challenges but if we want We met with the ministers and to build Eritrea is an example for us to see Eritrea proceed then we have saw that they are very focused to learn from.