Vol. 23 No. 104 Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

Eritrea’s Exemplary Role in Combating FGM Decline in Mother Mortality Rate During Delivery harmful practices would no longer The mortality rate of mothers prevail in the country. during delivery and the death rate of children under 5 years of age is Speaking on the occasion of on the decline. This was disclosed declaring a free-FGM zone in the by Dr. Birhana Haile, Head of subzones of Asmat and Habero, Ms. Family and Community Health in Rania underlined that the occasion the Ministry of Health. symbolizes a vivid demonstration of Eritrea’s commitment as well as the She explained that as a result active engagement and collaboration of the significant investment on of the public, government institutions the part of the government in and national associations in taking expanding health facilities and registered in the health sector has concrete action in combating FGM. human resource development, enabled Eritrea to become one of the death rate of mothers during the few successful countries within During a gathering in Keren city delivery has declined by 380 out of the Millennium Development Goals in which representatives of line 100 thousand and that of children and that the village regrouping and ministries, regional administrations, under 5 years of age to 50 out of higher societal awareness were national associations, the inhabitants one thousand. among the main factors for such a Ms. Rania Zakie, UNICEF the country is playing an exemplary of Asmat and Habero subzones and The impressive progress successful outcome. Representative in Eritrea said that role in eradicating FGM and that Keren participated, Mr. Mihreteab Fisehaye, representative of the Ministry of Labour and Human news brief Welfare underscored the importance For Higher Agricultural Production of mobilizing collective effort Farmers in Serejaka Sub-zone and village committees have and reinforcing awareness-raising Training For teachers have expressed readiness to exert conducted a two-year research on campaigns so as to achieve the set more effort towards boosting farmland expansion and that plots A training program was organized for 80 teachers, school supervisors and goal. healthcare representatives from Afabet, Nakfa, Adobha and Karora sub- production in accordance with have been distributed to deserving the newly introduced land usage farmers. zones. Likewise, Mr. Suleman Mohamed proclamation. Nur, Secretary of Anseba regional In line with the program mapped The week-long training was provided in a bid to familiarize teachers with Assembly, called on other subzones Mr. Yemane Abai, Director out, farmland has been distributed the newly introduced student competence assessment procedures in addition to emulate the example of Asmat General of Agriculture and Land in to about 11,000 farmers in 28 to reinforcing healthcare facilities within schools. and Habero subzones in combatting the Central region, said that experts districts of Serejaka Sub-zone. FGM. Mr. Mohammed Abdala, Head of Sports and Healthcare Clubs at the Education Ministry’s branch in the Northern Red Sea region, explained that the training was offered to familiarize teachers with the newly published books for primary schools.

Pointing out that efforts have been exerted to equip all schools with new Cyclist Mekseb’s Shining Victory educational facilities, Mr. Reshid Mohammed-Osman, Head of the Education Ministry’s branch in the Northern Red Sea region, said that programs have Continuing his impressive been mapped out to empower teachers through skill upgrading training. performance at the Tour de Langkawi, Eritrean cyclist Mekseb Debesay who stood first in the Reinforcement of Organizational Capacity fourth stage of the tour in Malaysia also finished sixth yesterday. During The National Union of Eritrean Women branch in Keren has organized the race which covered 148.1 Km. a discussion forum with a view to reinforcing organizational capacity a 55 group peloton finished the race and the timely implementation of development programs. together and there was no change in the overall points. Ms. Huri’a Idris, Head of the NUEW branch, noted the significance of reinforcing organization in preserving the achievements registered to Mekseb’s club Team Dimension date and coping with challenges ahead. Data of South Africa stands at second place following the leading The NUEW branch in the same city undertakes different activities in Swiss team. Tour de Langkawi 8 administrative areas and 14 public institutions, besides 9 Junior and that comprises eight stages will secondary schools. conclude today.

Ophthalmic Service to War Veterans Similarly, members of the Eritrean Cycling National Team, The National Association of War-disabled Veterans has provided Elias Afwerki and Meron Abraham, ophthalmic service to over 300 members. The medical treatment was won King of the Mountains title carried out at the medical centre run by the association and at an Ophthalmic and Best Youth Rider respectively Hospital within the premises of Denden Camp. at the 12th Tour Tropicale Amissa- Bongo on the 27th of February. Mr. Rezene Mebrahtu, Coordinator of the program, said that around 70% of the beneficiaries were provided with eye glasses. The Ophthalmic The Tour Tropicale Amissa- service was jointly undertaken in collaboration with doctors from Birhan- Bongo in Gabon will continue until Ayni Ophthalmic Hospital and Dr. Senait Fisehaye, an Eritrean citizen March 5 and involves 12 stages residing in the UK. with one thousand kilometers. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 2

Forest and Wildlife Conservation

Habtom Tesfamichael Environment as well as leaders of Forest and Wildlife Authority We depend on the environment branches and other participants for everything. Thus, we have to took part. preserve and recover it. Since the industrial revolution the surface Every branch of the Authority of the earth has witnessed rapid presented its annual report on rate of pollution, deforestation their progress. Questions and and extinction of a number of opinions raised at the end of the species. In the developing world, meeting were addressed. especially with the emergence of modern colonialism, colonizers Mr. Abrha Garza, General exploited natural resources of Manager of the Authority, the occupied land to serve their opened the meeting thanking the colonial machine, which created participants and stated that the unrecoverable situations in some meeting is part of the routine places. In pre-colonial Eritrea, annual work assessment. He said for instance, 30% of the land was some the major plans for 2016 covered with forest and there included preparing the draft were many wild . Upon plan and organizational chart is facing budget obstacles. Mr. Besides the 37 nursery stations the roots. In order to ensure this, independence which followed of the Authority, reclamation Abrha concluded his speech 33 of them have produced the Forest and Wildlife Authority colonialization and successive and conservation of forests, thanking the co-partners and 2,939,627 seedlings and 48% of is focusing in creating green clubs wars, forestation was reduced wildlife preservation and forest recommended to continue their these were in the Central region which encompass children and to below 2% and wild animals protection. cooperation. by 2016. The nursery level has students. Green clubs has reached disappeared. reduced by 23% and transplanting 482 for the 2015-2016 period He also noted that the draft Then followed the work progress by 17% from 2015 to 2016. but its number is expected to be Since then, the Government of plan of the organizational chart assessment report of reclamation higher. Eritrea has taken the initiative to has been set for approval by the and conservation of the forests by Regarding the foundation and enhance the biodiversity of the Authority after discussions with Mr. Mussie Robel. He said that management of reserved area, Further, the expansion of country. The Forest and Wildlife respective ministries, institutions management of nursery stations around 300,000 hectares of the prosopis tree has not only Authority is now in charge of and individuals. Mr. Abrha had and preparing seedlings, terracing land enclosed in 2016 are under worsened, but also is endangering this task. It conducted a work also noted the contribution made and preparing the areas planned to intensive care including 160,000 the indigenous trees. Considering assessment meeting on February in stabilising the household be planted, founding and managing hectares of land in Northern Red this problem, the government has 21st, 2017. demand on energy by allowing reserved areas, giving licences to Sea region as well as the decided to make charcoal from 256 individuals to make charcoal businessmen to move forest by- corridor in the Gash Barka region. the prosopis tree as a mitigation The Authority conducted its out of prosopis tree. products, conducting studies and In addition, some 500,000 hectares measure and consequently annual work assessment meeting preparing projects, preparing the of land are planned for enclosure. meeting energy demands. 256 on the premises of the Ministry He also mentioned the efforts draft plan, organisational chart individuals have been licensed of Agriculture in which Minister carried out to form national and activities of the authority, and Community awareness is very to make charcoal in Northern Arefaine Berhe, Minister Tesfai enclosure areas, which is still planning on job trainings were critical in an effort to avoid Red sea region, Gash Barka and Gebreselassie of Water, Land and continuing. The project, however, some of the 2016 plans. deforestation and has to start from Anseba regions.

Looking at the impact of mining on the environment. During the assessment meeting some highlights were presented. In fact, there is a national committee Published Every to oversee the impact of mining SaturdayPublished & Wednesday Every and is undertaking supervision WednesdayPublished & EverySaturday Saturday & Wednesday activities every three months at Bisha, Zara and Colluli mining Acting Editor sites. The companies are also AmanuelActing EditorMesfun subject to national environmental [email protected] Mesfun standards and take their own [email protected] mitigation measures. The branch P.O.Box: 247 has set up a nursery station near Tel:P.O.Box: 11-41-14 247 Bisha mining site and planted Fax:Tel: 11-41-1412-77-49 around 10,000 seedlings. Fax:E-mail: 12-77-49 E-mail: [email protected]@zena.gov.er Similar measures are undertaken profile@ zena.gov.er Advertisement: 12-50-13 at the Zara mining area. Mr. Advertisement: 12-50-13 Mussie stressed that they have Layout also given training to experts and Layout to forestry and wildlife inspectors Azmera Berhane at the national level. On top of AzmeraSara AlemBerhane AidaSara JoharAlem continued on page 6 Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 3

The Evidence of (27 million years) from Eritrea

Tsegai Medin temperatures seem impossibly savannah form. hot. - Facts about Elephants - Brief evolution of Elephants Elephants are herbivores that Elephants are massive . live in many different types of Proboscideans (a relative of They can reach a height of about habitat from savannah to marsh the modern elephant) nhave 3 - 4 meters and a weight of 4,000 to forest. They are considered been a part of the Afro-Arabian -7,000 kilograms. These massive keystone species due to their landscape since at least the early creatures are known for their impact on the environment in Eocene, ~55 Mya. “” thick bodies, stocky legs, giant which they live. They have the is a Greek word that means floppy ears, trunks, and tusks. longest known pregnancy of any “having a nose”. Over 350 Those big ears help elephants living . Mothers carry Proboscidea have been identified stay cool in hot, dry conditions. their babies for 22 months in as having existed over the last 50 And their trunks serve as a fifth the womb and then care for their million years. is the limb which they use to breathe, babies for several years after only surviving family of the order Restoration of Eritreum melakeghebrekristosi from Dogali (small grasp objects, lift water, and even birth. Elephants have been known Proboscidea; other, now extinct, individual) and the larger individual angustidens, an suckle for comfort. There are to communicate via touch, sight, members of the order include extinct genus of proboscid that evolved in the Early Miocene of North approximately 40,000 muscles in smell, and sound. Over long deinotheres, , America. After Shoshani et al., 2006. Artwork by G.H.M the elephant’s trunk alone giving distances, they can use seismic , and . The him an exceptional degree of communication - or vibrations only areas that Proboscidea were flexibility and maneuverability. made by stomping their feet - to not found to have been home at which allowed them to evolve unknown to science. The skeleton of an elephant communicate dangers to other least some of these species are and survive till the present is made up of 326–351 bones. members of the herd. Antarctica and Australia. Majority times. They are still considered - Dogali Elephants Over 99 percent of all terrestrial of these species are extinct to be one of the most adaptable mammals have hair, but elephants Elephants usually have 26 teeth: leaving only the Asian Elephant, animals in the world. Some of On November 2006 a team led are completely bald. And the the incisors, known as the tusks, African Savanna Elephant (the them lived in the rainforests by the late Paleontologist Dr. earflaps are huge, especially 12 deciduous premolars, and 12 world’s largest land mammal) while others resided in the desert. published in in the African variety, which molars. Unlike most mammals, and African Forest Elephant. The evidences from the the online Journal of Proceedings actually has the largest earflaps of which grow baby teeth and The evolutionary tree of sites of Dogali and Kudo-Felassi of the National Academy of any in history. The main then replace them with a single proboscidea, a taxonomic group (in Eritrea) and the Chilga site (in Sciences (PNAS) a stunning reason for this is, elephants live permanent set of adult teeth, that unites all elephantid lineages Ethiopia) are the only known late discovery of fossil remains of an in some of the hottest climates elephants are polyphyodonts as well as and Oligocene mammal sites from the extinct Elephant species from the on earth and their bodies produce that have cycles of tooth rotation species, can now be constructed whole of Africa. site of Dogali (locality of Wedeg an enormous amount of heat. throughout their lives. with higher certainty than ever Melatse Farm) near the port city Although they have adjusted before. Two distinct clades seem The discovery of fossil of Massawa. According to these their thermostats to reduce the In general, there are two to have formed 6 million years mammals on the coastal and researchers, this extinct Elephant heat output of their cells, it is still recognized subspecies of ago. The first clade included the highlands of Eritrea represents belongs to a late Oligocene not enough. Baldness helps them elephants - the hypothetical ancestor of savanna the earliest evidence for today’s proboscidean species, dated to eliminate heat faster, but that is and the Asian elephant, with the and forest elephants. The two favourite Africa mammals, the ~ 27 Million years. Throughout also not enough, hence the huge greatest difference between the seem to have diverged sometime elephants. These evidences are Africa, there is a gap in the earflaps, which function as a two being their physical location. during the miocene-pliocene known from two prominent proboscidean record in the late cooling device. The elephant ears African elephants are scattered transition 5 million years ago. sites-, the Dogali (near the port Oligocene, 34 to 24 million years are loaded with blood vessels throughout sub-saharan Africa The second clade includes Asian city of Massawa) and Kudo- ago. Whenever there is a gap in particularly where the skin is while Asian elephants are found elephant and the now extinct Felassi (Mendefera) sites. These the record, it’s significant when very thin. This allows for faster in southern and southeastern woolly mammoth. It is important sites preserved fossil evidence of you find specimens from that dissipation of heat helping to Asia. Among African elephants, to note that these two diverged a primitive Proboscideana, a very period. These specimens date keep the animal cooler when the forest form is smaller than the from their common clade later old relative of modern elephants. from exactly the time where than savanna and forest elephants It is known by scientists that there is a gap. In this account, the diverged from theirs, making early elephant evolution occurred discovery of Eritrean Elephant them genetically closer to each entirely in Africa, and these new taxon points to the importance of other than the two species of from Eritrea provided East Africa as a major area for the Loxodonta. new evidence on the early phases knowledge of the early evolution of the evolutionary history of of Elephants before the faunal With only two living species these fascinating animals. Such exchange between Eurasia and left, the African (Loxodontia ancestral early elephants were Africa and also helps to better africana) and the Asian ( much smaller than today’s African understand the biogeographical maximus), it is hard to believe elephants, reaching about 1000 inferences of early proboscidean that this order, the proboscidea, kg in body size. This species of radiation between Africa and was once one of the most elephant were thriving in the Arabia. successful mammal groups on Miocene from the Arabian land Earth. While they originated in mass to Africa; during this period The fossil jawbones that were Africa, the proboscidea managed Africa and Arabia were still discovered by an Eritrean farmer to conquer almost every continent joined as a single continent. This belong to a “missing link” on this planet. They are known time period is a portion of the for their ability to adapt to a African mammalian evolutionary East African elephants flocking in group alongside a river variety of different environments history, which is substantially Continued on page 7 Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 4

Natnael Yebio W. like a hyena want to laugh? Yeah, playing in the field. They spotted Ahe eats little children Bed and giggles one, got him Timeand skinned him and Story! “Horror shows us that the control as if precious human lives were fashioned a beautiful drum out of we believe we have is purely expendable. the soft and spongy human hide. illusory, How about the one about the If that didn’t scare the shit out and that every moment we teeter young man who, walking across of the little fellow, then there were on chaos and oblivion.” his wheat field one day, met the tales of werewolves that roamed devil face to face. As if by reflex the narrow streets at night. In our Frankly speaking we Eritreans action the frightened young man tradition it is the hyena, which the don’t have official horror stories invoked the name of God, his son devil uses as a horse that turns into like the ones they have in the West. and Holy Ghost, upon hearing the a human being for some urgent We don’t have, for example, the man uttering these words the devil mission and hides behind trees to equivalents of Dracula or Adams echoed them in a very scornful ambush unwary night wayfarers family nor do we have special manner changing his voice from with special emphasis on priests. horror actors like Vincent Price, Sir that of a man to that of a woman. The hyena-cum-person likes to Christopher Lee or writers like Sir There upon the young man fell to fight with the last mentioned and Alfred Hitchcock, Stephen King the ground and lost not only his laughs at all kinds of invocation who dominated the horror market consciousness but also his reason. to incantation to drive him off, in the past. They had to rub his body with including vade retro satana or pater human and animal excrement and noster. It is strange that there are as many tell him to sit in the sun till his people who want to have a laugh reason was restored. That was, as Let me give you a little food or cry or even get sexually excited. far as they were concerned, the for thought. I think it was H.P. The market is there to deliver. It is prescription for a devil-induced Lovecraft who said, “from even like give them what they want and shock. the greatest of horrors irony is count your green bucks. seldom absent”. The most famous Housemaids who had a hard of traditional horror stories is In our tradition, horror stories are day with recalcitrant children about a Serpent King that ruled the depart this mortal world. The news will eventually destroy a third of not for sale. They are told to excite resorted to horror stories as some northern part of this country about of her death was immediately the world’s population.” the imagination or just because sort of revenge. You won’t sleep, 3,000 years ago. Under the reign transmitted to the neighborhood they were there and they have will you? So I will make you curl of this beastly king, terror was the by the maidservant who for some “Why” somehow to be narrated. Some up and sleep like a frightened dog. order of the day, for the slithering reason wanted to have her mistress children like to listen to them. Okay, get this one: once upon a tyrant liked to eat damsels every buried as soon as possible. Maybe “They will come to teach us a Most restrain their pee as they turn time there was a young monkey month or so. she was after the property. lesson.” on their imagination and fight to who had the notion to marry. His keep a straight face. Others just mother found him a bride, prepared Almost all the young girls of the When the funeral was over and “What lesson?” bawl and run to mama. Sometimes food and drinks and invited kith kingdom were thought expendable every drooping soul went back it is the adult who tells the horror and kin. But there was shortage of except one beautiful maiden with home with some deeming it proper “To love one another and to be story who keeps struggling with drums in the village of the apes. So whom a prince valiant fell in love. to accompany the maidservant to kind to the poor,” recurrent nightmares. all the monkeys went out and made As everybody knows, it is love that the deceased woman’s house, an a foray into the village of humans makes the world go round, and evil wind began to blow from the Horror stories are a thing of The most common traditional to kill livestock and craft drums out this intrepid lover decided to kill direction of the graveyard. That beauty, in my opinion, no live horror story has always the hyena of the skin of the sheep and goats. the python. And finally he did just night, the maidservant could not organism can continue for long as a protagonist. Imagine a hyena Not able to get their plan that and saved his beloved, and you sleep. She saw her mistress in a to exist sanely under conditions laughing. What on earth can make achieved, the monkeys looked guessed it right, they lived happily dream screaming to get out of the of absolute reality; even larks and a horrendous, man eating creature around for innocent children ever after. grave. It was premature burial. katydids are supposed, by some, to dream. Stephen King said, there are So what was so horrifying about After laughing hyenas, wrestling three types of terror , The Gross- the story? It was the way the demons, serpent kings and out: the sight of a severed head serpent king crunched the young screaming corpses, we pass the tumbling down a flight of stairs, lasses and the way he died in the man eating giants, and lastly to it’s when the lights go out and end. He was burned alive and his the Yajuj-Majuj (the biblical Gog something green and slimy splatters groaning shook the earth. and Magog) who one day would against your arm. The Horror: the descend upon the earth with the unnatural, spiders the size of bears, There were also horror stories sacred mission of destroying the dead waking up and walking that made the rounds and caused the earth and all those who live around, it’s when the lights go out the heart of every listener to throb therein. and something with claws grabs out of beat. It was some kind of you by the arm. And the last and ‘The Revenge of the Mummy’. Kids of yore upon hearing the worst one: Terror, when you come It was about a premature burial scary stories, thought Yajuj-Majuj home and notice everything you and the harrowing cry that the were swarms of flies that came own had been taken away and corpse emitted during nights from from the east with divine mission replaced by an exact substitute. It’s within his coffin. The story went to feast on decaying human flesh when the lights go out and you feel like this: Once upon a time there after an apocalyptic war. something behind you, you hear it, was a woman who lived in proud you feel its breath against your ear, loneliness. Nights were followed “No” but when you turn around, there’s by days and days by nights and nothing there..... the day arrived when she had to They are fierce horsemen that Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 5

Ngdet, Losing its Authenticity?

Mela Ghebremedhin Through time, with the growing population within the city and I had a great time but the ngdet In Eritrea, many traditional the affiliation of each church to a I knew as a child is the one in the customs and holy days continue to certain saint, the rituals have taken countryside, at the village of my be predominant within the society. over city dwellers. ancestors. We used to go with lots Both Muslims and Christians of food, open the tiny little house follow their faith in the country One of the big ngdets, Enda where my fathers and siblings were while respecting one another and Mariam, covers a vast area from born, enjoy the day with elders and celebrating together. One of the Edaga Arbi, Edaga Hamus and younger cousins before going on holy days is the commemoration Arbaete Asmera. Another one, adventure by the riverside, and of Christian Saints mainly by the Kidane Mehret, is celebrated visiting extended family members. Orthodox churches, locally known by both the Catholics and the as ‘Ngdet’. Orthodoxs and the ngdet is mainly Ngdets are means to catch up with in Sembel and some parts of Mai one’s roots. However, nowadays Remembering the saints is a Tshihot in Asmara. ngdet within cities is mostly ritual the faithful make sure not synonymous with ‘eating for free’ to miss. Some may simply go to The Ngdet of Kidane Mehret and a place of business bargains. the way. would be negatively perceived by specific churches representing the took place last Thursday and as Many would probably disagree. the host and people’s pockets get specific saints, such as Medhanie my future in-laws live in the area, However, I realized that even in Without doubt, ngdet is excuse empty by the end of the day. Alem in Geza Banda and pray I was invited to spend the day with my neighborhood every time ngdet to many whom would just use the by the gate of the church. Others them. Although the family doesn’t day is celebrated, some people day for another purpose. Indeed, Most of the time, a bottle of follow the prayer starting in the do the whole ngdet ritual, it is kind rush from early in the morning trying to earn some money, while traditional drink, Areqi would be early morning hours until about of ‘obliged’ to prepare food and to sell stuff on the pavements others to beg or to eat as much as offered, or kilos of sugar or coffee 9am before visiting relatives living drinks for possible visitors and of specific neighborhood. Items possible for free and many youth to the host. Well, I prefer to buy in the area. Those relatives in that each year close family members such as cooking stoves to socks. will find an excuse to drink the something useful such as a whole area will prepare traditional food come to share a meal and take the Really? Who’s thinking of buying local beverage Suwa and Areqi in basket of fruits for the family and beverage for those passing by time to catch up. such items while on the way to the abundance. than a bottle of alcohol. This only before sharing the traditional coffee church? does not happen only at saint’s with some popcorn. Actually, a The area is particularly packed in On top of that, it may become a days but also in any celebration hectic day for the host family, as the day, as people from all walks of No space to walk in, sellers burden to the host family. Expenses between graduation parties and visitors start coming early in the life come to the church of Kidane calling for your attention, ‘Ufun, may impact the family’s budget is their extravaganza, baptisms or morning and never stop until the Mehret. Public buses can’t even Ufun’ (sweetcorn), ‘shebet alo, wasted in preparing the meal and weddings. sun sets. pass through. Only small cars and shebet’ (sandals, sandals to sell)… a the traditional drinks and the host taxis are able to make their way noise pollution taking over the real takes a day off from work. A burden Elders, actually, are the ones Ngdet used to be mainly through the straight road of Sembel meaning of ngdet. Last Thursday, not only to the family but also to trying to keep up with the tradition, celebrated in the countryside and direction up to the church located it was difficult to reach the church ‘negadyan’ (visitors). It has been by attending the mass, praying and villages in the outskirts of Asmara at the end of the long road on a without stepping on someone’s enshrined in people’s mentality making wishes until the next year’s such as Godaif or Arbaete Asmera. little hill. sweetcorn or socks displayed on that if an invitation is declined it ngdet. Besides, during the fasting period, they fast the whole day and then break the feast with a fasting meal made out of helbet, alicha and other vegetables all served on injera.

Above and beyond, the traditional meaning is about making something good, being grateful and also helping one another. Helping one another still exists where neighbors work together during the course of the preparation of the day by cooking together or by giving to the less fortunate ones.

The entire other artificialities that we see more and more are surely ‘overwriting’ the tradition of ngdet coming from villages to the city with its revised version.

Inauthenticity, using the day for other purposes, forgetting the real meaning of traditions are points to discuss on how the culture in Eritrea should be protected by regulating extravaganzas and other useless activities happening on the sideline such as selling items or begging. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 6

implements the UNCT-approved activities. 2. Contribute to the efficient management of financial resource, overseeing common services, including asset management. 3. Oversee outsourced common services and promote excellent client relationships and manage networks. 4. Facilitate information, communication and knowledge management and sharing and documentation of good practices in common services VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT VA/02/2017 and premises, where necessary. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education: University Degree is essential. Secondary Education with The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Asmara specialized training in procurement would be desirable. invites qualified applicants (Eritrean) for the following vacant post: Experience: Minimum of 5 years of relevant working experience in facilities Job Code Title: Common Services Associate maintenance/management is required at the national or international level. Pre-classified Grade: GS-7 Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Duty Station: Asmara Word, Excel, etc.) and knowledge of automated procurement systems, experience in handling of web based management systems. Organizational Context Language requirements: Fluency in English (spoken and written).and The Common Services Associate will work under the overall guidance of UN national language of the duty station. Country Team (UNCT), through the Chair of the Operations Management Team (OMT) and the direct day-to-day supervision of the UNDP Operations Other considerations: For more details please collect the Terms of Manager. The incumbent is responsible for managing UN common premises Reference from the UNDP Reception Desk. Interested applicants should and services including financial management. submit duly filled P11 form (available at the UNDP Reception Desk, UN Office in Asmara) and a detailed CV with supporting documents. Copy of The CSA will promote a client-oriented approach consistent with UN/UNDP document indicating exemption from/completion of national service should rules and regulations and work in close collaboration with the OMT and be sent to UNDP Reception Desk, P.O. Box 5366, and UN offices, Asmara, UN Coordination Officer and all operations personnel in all UN Agencies Eritrea. in Eritrea to implement common services-related programmes, exchange information and ensure timely delivery of services to various clients. UNDP will contact those who are considered Potential candidates. Closing date for the application is 10 days from the date of announcement. Summary of key functions: “UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall 1. Ensure management of cost-effective common services and balance in its staffing patterns” The Forest and . . .

ivory theft. To avoid such problems they continued from page 2 are on the way of creating protected area management system. Mr. Ftsum stated that status of Wild Ass in the Southern Red that exchange visits were conducted with Sea region is in a good condition despite expert inspectors and local peasants. some instances of conflicts with the local people due to the lack of reserved areas to Mr. Ftsum Hagos, Head of Preservation them. Moreover the branch has undertook and Reclamation of Wildlife branch, on his the 10th year green campaign assessment part, presented annual work assessment of and produced documents which reflect the the branch in relation to the initial plans activities of the green campaign. outlined for 2016 as well as the challenges and the action plan for 2017. Mr. Fstum indicated that shortage of facilities and budget, hunting and Mr Ftsum said in the meeting that they deforestation of the habitat’s wildlife, have made the Semenawi Bahri reserved area killing of wild animals by drivers, and a concerted reserve area in cooperation with unregulated use of toxic materials were the EMIC, the villages and the community. some of the major problems faced this past As a result, the wildlife animals’ checklist year. has improved in the last few years. They caused by energy demands, the effort of for 2017. have also provided on-the-job training to Lt. Colonel Ghebregergish Sium, head controlling deforestation was difficult. 256 Minister Arefaine Berhe addressed wildlife experts. The enclosure of national of the Law and Order branch presented hectares of land were blazed in Haikota, the meeting and called for increasing elephants reserve area is near completion an inspection report in which he cited the Laelay Gash, and Tesseney sub-zones reforestation projects at the communal and to make this possible all agricultural areas where the killing of wild animals by forest fires. These events are actually level and conducting timely assessments, activities in the area have been moved to and deforestation are commonly seen. He common during the months of May and making use of the prosopis tree and other areas there by avoiding conflicts and further explained the efforts exerted to June and necessary preventive measures continuing studies of Asha Gereb. the endangering of local peasants harvest control the phenomenon in cooperation should be taken, he indicated. Lt. Colonel near the corridor. with regional administrations, the military Ghebregergsh offered details of inspection Mr. Abrha Garza concluded the meeting and the communities. activities for each region and challenges by instructing new members of the Authority However, six elephants have died and they had in 2016. He concluded his to enhance co-operation with partnering there are traces of the phenomenon of He indicated that due to the pressure presentation by outlining the action plan agencies and government bodies. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 7

o Provide training for the team (especially safety standards and procedures); schedules technical training. o Conducts daily “Tool Box” meetings with the team. o Manages time and attendance. KNOWLEDGE, EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS Qualifications: VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Trade Certificate (Mechanic/Millwright) or Technical related qualification

Bisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following position for Bisha site Knowledge and Experience: project. +- 5 years relevant experience HME Drill Supervisor Number required – (01) Technical Skills Behavioural Skills • Computer Literacy (MS Office – • Communication (English) Type of contract – Definite period (Six(6) Month) Intermediate) • Attention to detail • Assertiveness Major Duties and responsibilities. • Analytical skill • Interpersonal Relations • Planning • Mechanical & Electrical experience • Integrity o Responsible for forecasting and planning of maintenance and repairs of all • Problem solving skill • Prioritizing skills & multi-skilling HME. • • o Makes use of “Planned Maintenance Schedule”. Supervisory experience Ability to work towards strict deadlines o Tracks the use of maintenance and repair parts and orders accordingly. • High level of accuracy • Implementation of the Plan • Discretion o Identify the highest priority for each week and focus on completing relevant • Self-motivation tasks. o Ensures good housekeeping. General Information and other requirements: o Ensures maintenance and repairs of HME are carried out in an efficient and . Place of Work: Bisha. effective way in order to minimize downtime and the effect on production. . Salary: As per Company salary scale. o Performs regular inspections in order to detect potential problems before they cause breakdowns. Additional requirement for Nationals: o Controls downtime by ensuring the best techniques are being used to repair . Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and provide evidence of release paper breakdowns. from the Ministry of Defense. o Ensure safety requirements are fulfilled at the work place, including leading . Present clearance paper from current/last employer. Field Level Risk Assessment (FLRA) and proper use of the appropriate PPE. . Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience credentials, a copy of your Report any safety issues/incidents. National Identity Card etc.). o Comply with mine’s cardinal rules and other safety, environmental or other . Only shortlisted applicants would be considered as potential candidates for an interview. rules and standards as directed. Identifies any hazards in the work place. . Application documents will not be returned to sender. o Maintains equipment; parts and supply stocks by carrying out regular stock . All applications should be sent through the post office. takes and ordering replacements as required. . Deadline for application: 10 days from the day of publication in the Newspaper. . Address: Please mail your applications to; • Writing Reports & Data Control Bisha Mining Share Company, o Compile daily; progress reports for the department. P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, Eritrea o Prepares mechanical maintenance reports by collecting, analyzing and summarizing information and trends. . Note to NO Eritrean applicants: Please send a copy of your application to • Supervise/Manage team Aliens Employment permit Affairs, o Provide technical support for the team, by supervising various activities. P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea. The Evidence of Oligocene . . .

ontinued from page 3 called horizontal tooth displacement— and poaching have increased. To have decade, 80% of the African elephant C the same “conveyor belt” style seen in an idea by the early 1980’s there were population had been decimated. living elephants. If this theory is correct, approximately 1.3 million African species that connects modern elephants E. melakeghebrekristosi would be the elephants in the wild. As Ivory became What about in Eritrea? Recent research to their ancient ancestors. These fossil earliest known proboscidean to exhibit more valuable and indiscriminate killing on Eritrean Elephants shows that only about bone fragments belong to an animal in the this characteristic. The size of the teeth of elephants occurred, by the end of that 100 elephants persist in the Gash-Barka order Proboscidea (large mammals with is another indication of the intermediate administrative zone. The study reports, trunks), that is same order that includes evolutionary stage of the species. These Eritrean Elephants are known as the most living elephants. The name Eritreum fossil specimens are currently housed at the completely isolated species, with no gene represents the name of the nation of paleontological laboratory of the National flow from other elephant populations. Eritrea, and melakeghebrekristosi in honor Museum of Eritrea in Asmara. They are mostly savanna elephants, of the farmer, Melake Ghebrekristos, with closer genetic affinity to Eastern who found the specimen and realized its - Present times than to North Central savanna elephant importance. Therefore, the researchers populations. Today, habitat loss is a great name the new Elephant species Eritreum Today, elephants, both the African threat to Eritrean elephants. As a result, melakeghebrekristosi. and Asian species, are some of the most human-elephant conflicts have increased critically endangered creatures on Earth. over the years as humans have encroached This is a small-sized elephantimorph African elephants are listed as vulnerable more and more upon elephant habitat and proboscidean. The molars are smaller than by the International Union for Conservation migratory routes. Researchers recommend those of all other early elephantimorph of Nature (IUCN) while the Asian elephant that conservation efforts should aim at proboscideans. The jawbone pieces were is classed as endangered. Just in Africa protecting Eritrean elephants and their discovered with teeth in place, allowing where they were very common south of habitat in the short run, with restoration of researchers to hypothesize that the animal the Sahara, thier range and numbers have Map shows, range of the African habitat connectivity and genetic diversity replaced its teeth through a process shrunk as human population, development Elephants at present times as long-term goals. Eritrea Profile,Wednesday, March 1, 2017 Vol 23 . No 104 8

“More stories about our culture please!” Billion Temesghen

A good news for our fellow Eritrean men. She’s here!!! Today Q&A has a compiled interview with an ‘Asmarina’ actress you Eritrean men wouldn’t stop giggling at every time you see her walk down town. That’s right, many of you would agree she has a radiating smile. Many of those in the film business would agree she’s the most talented, and I agree she is the wittiest.

With posters and flyers of feature films and telenovelas depicting her pictures out on the street multiple times a year, and a bliss of a new family of her own that recently welcomed a first born baby boy, Saron Bereket, at the age of 30, continues to be the Eritrean Sweetheart.

We really should thank the first grown tired of me. series so far. My first was in 2007 He wants me to work as much as I producer that hired you and made soon after my debut I remember it want because he knows how much your talents public. Take us back to Any secret ingredients? was both horrifying and glorifying. I love my job. He really respects it. your debut film please. Many of the actors were well known His encouragement has become so No, not at all. I guess I am good and famous, actors I had seen only addictive now wouldn’t be able to I totally agree! I was an eighth at memorizing my parts. In a matter on TV. So working with them express how grateful I really am. grader when I got offered a part in a of three days maximum, I can have thrilled me but it also scared me as Now with the arrival of our baby melodrama movie about high school my part well covered. I am not the I felt so little in front of them. I took and my busy schedule, we have my and the life of high school students type to travel and assess people’s on a role of a very young mother, mother helping us raise our baby. entitled ‘Scomessa’ (The Bet). I attitude. and even though I was happy with took on the lead character. my role, the presence of colleagues Does your husband get jealous It is conventional for actors to whom I dearly respect made me when you take on love roles? How did you become an actress? travel and be out and about to study want to throw the towel in several and get hints of people’s mindsets, times throughout the production… I recently was a guest at a program I didn’t even know I had it in me. stances, outlooks and traditions so well, at least until towards the end of with Radio Numa and there they Even though I am now a professional that later on they’d adopt them in the Actress Saron Bereket the production. asked the same question. The host actress, acting is something that took characters they build. But my case had my husband on the phone and time to take over me. I didn’t know is different. I am not the one to look ‘Roxora’ that is the title of the one Speaking of motherhood, you asked him if he ever felt jealous. He I had the talents for it. In fact when deeply at how people do I’d rather I like the most. The title is actually now are a mother! said yes. So I guess he does feel a I first started acting I started getting put myself in character’s shoes. I the name of the traditional scarf little jealous, just a little bit though. many offers from film producers and completely absorb the story and try Bilen women wear. The movie had I am! Thrills me every time! I However, work is work, so it’s I would get shocked every time. I to feel my character. It is a deliberate a lot of efforts and time invested in never had a proper time to share the okay. couldn’t understand why they would act of my professionalism I build my it and most parts of it were set in good news with my fans and the After all of these years acting, even want me… so for a long period characters fully based on my own ElaBered. public. But yes, my husband and I do you ever think of authoring or at my prime time I was confused and considerations I guess this is why recently welcomed our first baby directing? unsure about my performances. it has been easy all along for me It will be aired soon and it is about boy. to portray my characters as natural a doomed girl I don’t want to spoil Yes, I think I have accumulated Luckily, though, my father helped and as real as possible. This specific it for you by telling you more, but I Can you share with us something enough experience to try out writing me get out of my own fears. I was notion gives me the opportunity to hope everyone will enjoy it as much of your family? or directing. I have been thinking scared of almost everything on set; I portray unfeigned characters who as I enjoyed working in it. about it a lot nowadays, I wish my was scared of the cameras, the lights the public sympathizes with easily. My husband and I dated for a dream to come true. and the people there. Sometimes TV series long time before we got married I would just suddenly refuse to Out of the movies you worked in, in 2011. My husband Samuel is a What do you think about our standing for action! which one is your favorite? I have participated in four TV sportsman, and he helps me a lot. county’s films and their making?

As a matter of fact, when I was It’s okay. But personally I first asked to act in Scomessa’‘ (The would like to see more stories Bet) and I refused, the producer that somehow incorporate the went to my father and begged him rich traditional diversity we have. to convince me. Therefore, my dad Henceforth, I supplicate movie managed my very first job with my makers and producers to pay a close role in ‘Scomessa’ (The Bet); he attention to our cultural richness. encouraged me to not be shy and let And one more thing, I think there myself entrusted in the hands of art. should be more attention to TV series because our public has great And to this day he still is the taste for telenovelas. motivation behind my works; thank you daddy! Anything you want to say at the end? Scared or not, though, in a span of little more than 10 years, you Many thanks to my family and took part in 70 feature films. friends for their endless support, and heartfelt gratitude to my fans and the And four TV series. I owe it to general public for the constant love the fans who have always been and trust you have shown me. Tons supportive and faithful. I am grateful of love to my fellow Eritreans! for the fact that the public has not Roxora the movie