Vol 26. No. 72 Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA 23rd conference of the ICSOE for Eastern Africa at Asmara Palace Hotel

23rd Conference of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts for Eastern Africa officially opened yesterday, 5 November, at Asmara Palace Hotel under the theme “Leveraging New Opportunities for regional Integration in Eastern Africa”.

The opening ceremony of the conference is attended by senior Government officials, officials from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), head of UN offices in Eritrea, members of the Diplomatic Corps as well as over 250 participants.

Indicating that Africa in general and the Eastern Africa region in particular, have remarkable potential and capabilities to leverage and expedite regional “At this momentous peace-time, the region need a cross border Democratic Republic of Congo, and opportunities, development integration, Mr. Osman Saleh, the ‘can do’ sprit of the Eritrean answer and that enhancing regional Uganda, Tanzania, Comoros, of investment in the sectors of Minister of Foreign Affairs, said people and the government of cooperation is needed to make Madagascar and Seychelles. infrastructure, energy, regional that the Horn of Africa, after Eritrea have embarked on to regain regional growth more sustainable trade and job creation, sustainable decades of externally induced lost opportunities and attain a viable and inclusive. During the three-day meeting, development of marine resources inter-and-intra-state conflicts, has socio-economic transformation in research papers will be presented and social integration in East begun to breathe the air of hope the coming few years,” Minister Ms. Susan N. Ngongi, United including strengthening regional Africa. and togetherness and that will have Osman added. Nations Resident Coordinator cooperation, ensure sustainable significant contribution in creating in Eritrea, on her part said that development in East Africa, The conference will stay until 7 new opportunities leveraging Dr, Vera Songwe, Executive the conference attests to the keen development of regional tourism November. regional integration. Secretary of UNECA, stressed the interest of Eritrea to the regional importance of increasing regional integration and that will have Minister Osman went on to trade and implementing the African significant importance to the say that Eritrea has been engaged Continental Free Trade Area in regional cooperation and economic Meeting on implementation in implementing transformative creating equitable and balanced integration. developmental polices and projects; economies for the bright future of of development programs driven by its internal capacities the youth and prosperous Africa. The Conference organized by to ensure the delivery of basic the UN Economic Commission for social services, such as health, Mr. Andrew Mold, Acting Africa is being attended by 14 East water, education, transportation Director of Economic Commission African countries including Eritrea, and livelihood, significant policy for Africa in East Africa, said that Ethiopia, Djibouti, Somalia, South measures have been executed. cross border problems affecting Sudan, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya,

Seminar to members of the national service

The General Secretary of the focusing on the struggle of Eritrean establishment and role of the Governor of the Gash Barka Indicating that residents National Confederation of Eritrean workers and nation building in the Eritrean workers confederation region, Mr. Abraha Garza, have not been beneficiaries of Workers (NCEW), Mr. Tekeste new era. before independence and after as conducted meetings with the social services in general and Baire conducted seminar on 2 well as on role of the youth in the residents of the sub-zones of that of educational facilities November to the members of the At the seminar, Mr. Tekeste new era. Mogolo, Dige, Akordet and in particular, Mr. Osman 33rd round of the national service gave extensive briefing on the Mesnura on the implementation Mohammed-Ali, chairman of the Indicating that the objective and of charted out development Gash Barka Assembly, called for vision of the NCEW is to build a programs. the implementation of the internal prosperous country, Mr. Tekeste regulations that are being issued called on the youth to equip At the meetings that were by the regional assembly. themselves with the necessary conducted last week, Mr. Abraha knowledge and skill and play due Garza indicated that sustainable The participants on their part in the nation building process. effort is being exerted to enable part expressed readiness to the residents become beneficiaries strengthen participation in the The participants on their part of social services. He further implementation of the charted out said that such seminars will commended the residents for development drives and called for have significant contribution in the initiative they have been alleviating potable water supply developing their understanding and conducting to address the in the sub-zones and for additional called for its sustainability. challenges they have been facing. school class rooms. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 2 Welcoming remarks by H.E. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea

23rd Meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee of Senior Officials and Experts (ICSOE)-ECS Office for Eastern Africa

Honorable Dr. Vera Songwe, Experts. Executive Secretary of Distinguished Delegates, UNECA, As the theme of this gathering Honorable Ministers and insinuates, Africa in general Senior Government Officials, and the Eastern Africa region in particular, have remarkable Distinguished Delegates and potential and capabilities to Invited Guests, leverage and expedite regional integration. Our sub-region - the Ladies and Gentlemen, Horn of Africa - after decades of externally induced inter-and- It gives me a great pleasure to intra-state conflicts, has begun welcome you all to the beautiful to breath2 the air of hope and city of Asmara which is often togetherness. Peace and stability, referred to as “Africa’s jewel of critical prerequisite of regional Modernity!”. integration, are new opportunities that we can leverage for regional Indeed, it is with immense integration. gratitude and honor that the people and government of Eritrea Evidently, central to the recent are hosting the 23rd Meeting of hopeful environment prevailing in the Intergovernmental Committee our region is the landmark peace of Senior Officials and Experts of deal signed by H.E. President the Economic Commission for Isaias Afwerki and H.E. P.M. Africa – Sub-Regional for Eastern Abiy Ahmed last year here in Africa. In this regard, I would like Asmara. to thank the Sub-Regional Office for Eastern Africa for providing The peace-dividend of this us with the opportunity to host historic event can simply be this timely and important event. attested by the consequential I would like also to recognize engagements undertaken among through roads, railways, sea- reflect on the “new opportunities the outgoing Chair of the the leaders and peoples of the ports, airports, pipelines…etc. for regional integration,” we Intergovernmental Committee sub-region in the past 15 months. news will inevitably entail substantial have to be mindful of the of Experts, the Republic of The leaders of Eritrea, Ethiopia, financial and human capital, as interdependency of every single Road renovation Rwanda, for steering ably the Somalia, Djibouti, South well as technological and energy sector and we need to create works of the 22nd Meeting of the Sudan, the Sudan and Kenya popular campaign capacities. To put in place all synergies to ensure coherence and Intergovernmental Committee of have reaffirmed their strong these inputs, we should primarily sustainability. All the thematic The residents of the commitments to work together value and mobilize our domestic areas identified in our Programme administrative areas of Abelo and realize the aspirations of resources. Africa has already of Work are topical and I hope our and Agra’e, Nakfa sub-zone, are their brotherly peoples. Indeed, drawn enough lessons from deliberations would galvanize to conducting dirt roads renovation this is what we need to capitalize falling victim to global financial unlock the shared opportunities program that have been damaged on as we envisage materializing institutions and corporate and potentials in our region. due to flooding and that have regional integration. conglomerates. been difficult for vehicles. Eritrea’s view of regional Distinguished Delegates, Published Every Distinguished Delegates, integration is guided by simple According to the residents,

Published Every and doable vision; that is the objective of the program is Saturday & Wednesday The combined human and Published Every For its part, Eritrea has been building strong regional blocks. to alleviate the challenges the Wednesday & Saturday natural resources of our region Saturday & Wednesday engaged in implementing We should not be trapped in residents have been facing in are significantly enormous to transformative developmental overlapping and ambitious their daily activities due to lack transform the lives of each Acting Editor polices and projects; driven by its regional gatherings and forums. of transportation. They also Acting Editor individual person. expressed readiness to play due AmanuelActing EditorMesfun internal capacities. To ensure the Gauging our real capabilities Amanuel Mesfun delivery of basic social services, entails prudence. part in the renovation activity. Amanuel Mesfun Apparently, these resources are [email protected] such as health, water, education, [email protected] not an end in themselves. The transportation and livelihood, Distinguished Delegates, At the popular campaign lofty ideals of regional economic P.O.Box: 247 significant policy measures more than 300 people are daily P.O.Box: 247 integration might seem appealing Tel: 11-41-14 have been executed. At this Finally, while I place my participating and the sub-zonal Tel: 11-41-14 on blue prints. However, it is momentous peace-time, the ‘can trust in the success of the 23rd administration is providing Fax: 12-77-49 judicious to design pragmatic Fax: 12-77-49 do’ sprit of the Eritrean people Meeting of the Intergovernmental material support. E-mail: polices and measurable projects. E-mail: and the Government of Eritrea Committee of Senior Officials Without transforming our existing [email protected]@[email protected] zena.gov.er has prompted them to embark on and Experts, I hereby officially The administrator of the sub- infrastructural capacities, both Advertisement: 12-50-13 rapid development to regain lost open the Meeting. I wish you all zone, Mr. Yakob Idris called on human and physical, lofty opportunities and attain a viable very successful deliberations and the other administrative areas objectives of enhancing regional socio-economic transformation a pleasant stay! to follow the example of the Layout trade or economic integration, Layout in the coming few years. residents of the administrative will remain wishful and AAzmerazmera BerhaneBerhane I Thank You! areas of Abelo and Agra’e to incomprehensible. renovate roads in their areas and AidaSaraSara JoharAlem Distinguished Delegates, 5th-7th November 2019; the vehicles owners to contribute Transformation and In the following three days, as we Asmara, Eritrea their part. improvements of our connectivity Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 3 From Recent Confidential Archives

Eritrean government just as what first choice, or through the military Excerpts of the aborted subversive operation concocted we have accomplished in Libya. intervention of the Ethiopian against Eritrea by Amnesty International and Human Rights government with the international Watch in 2011 were published on this website few weeks • It is not only the US community being behind them. ago. which is vehemently pursuing the policy of regime change • Parallel with these Today, we present condensed reports of: in Eritrea. The European activities, the Pastor we have countries which were reluctant recruited in Nairobi is preaching 1. A subversive scheme mapped out by the US Central before are fully on board now. for unity between Eritreans and Intelligence Agency (CIA) to instigate turmoil and Ethiopians. The plan consists of upheaval in Eritrea to precipitate “regime change”; • European countries are recruiting other Pastors too. We 2. furious because the NGO’s they have are sponsoring funding of these 3. A confidential report circulated by the Israeli been sponsoring were asked to cease activities through Freedom House Intelligence Agency (MOSSAD) with malicious operations and leave the country. intent of demonizing the Government of Eritrea by • We are also working to falsely associating it with “terrorist organisations” in • Our original expectation ensure special handling of Eritrean the Middle East. was for regime change from within refugees and facilitate the processing 4. through some elements in collusion of their cases. UNHCR have These outlandish schemes were hatched in the second half of with the US and its allies. But been instructed accordingly. All 2011. In terms of purpose and intent, they were intertwined this is not going to work; people’s necessary preparations for giving with numerous other acts of hostility pursued by various uprising is unthinkable in Eritrea. asylum, for the second time, to the powers with much frenzy in those times. This has zero possibility. So the National Eritrean Football Team only option we have is to use in Nairobi have been completed. As it will be recalled, acts of hostility perpetrated against an external power which has an Eritrea in the past 20 years, purportedly to advance certain intimate knowledge of the military • Ambassador Claude “global strategies”, were numerous indeed. Some of these capabilities of the Eritrean regime. Heller, Chairman of the UNSC reprehensible acts include: The external power that meets these Somalia Eritrea Monitoring Group, requirements is the TPLF regime. and who had visited Eritrea in April • The blatant act of aggression launched from 1998 until 2010, is working on indicting the 2000 under the pretext of a border dispute; • The full report the Eritrean Government at the ICC. TPLF has submitted to us on the • The various subterfuges peddled to obstruct structure, military capabilities • (Full list of Eritrean (Note; Iran does not have, never implementation of the ‘final and binding” EEBC Arbitral and nature of the Eritrean regime quislings, and, foreign individuals had, an Embassy in Eritrea). Decision; is based on factual analysis and and organisations hired for this gives hope for accomplishing the subversive scheme is spelled out • Sudanese Weapons • Baseless accusation levelled against Eritrea at the mission in a short time. They were in the documents. This has been Smugglers with links to smuggler UNHRC in 2013 and thereafter; intent on launching a second war omitted in this report for obvious infrastructures in the region after the 1998 war. They refrained reasons.) are in contact with weapons • Organized human trafficking and youth migration pursued from doing so because we advised smugglers on the Eritrean side for the purposes of “strategic depopulation” and downgrading against a hasty move. Now they ======of the border. The strength of of Eritrea’s defense capabilities; etc. are prepared to launch war against these ties stem from common Eritrea aimed at regime change. 2. Defamatory Circular by financial motives and tribal links. All these hostile acts were frustrated and ultimately overcome And they have secured the full MOSSAD through the resilience and steadfastness of the people and support of the UN and partners. • The border area between government of Eritrea; even if they had incurred much cost to At about the same time when the two countries, particularly the country. To a large extent, those unwarranted hostilities • In tandem with this, the the CIA was involved in mapping the area of the towns Kasssala in against Eritrea constitute inexcusable episodes and vestiges implementation and enforcement of out a subversive agenda of regime Sudan and Tesseney in Eritrea, is of the past with little consonance to current realties. Still, the sanctions, which has remained change in Eritrea, MOSSAD a centre for the smugglers, most of past history is relevant both for drawing appropriate lessons nominal so far, must be ensured. circulated a confidential report whom belong to the Rashaida tribe. as well in the interpretation and analysis of current and entitled: “Eritrea’s involvement in future events with greater depth and wider perspective. The • Other tasks are being Weapons Smuggling in the Gaza • According to condensed reports of hostile CIA/MOSSAD acts committed planned and coordinated Strip”. corroborated but not up-to-date in 2011 are being published today within this framework; as a to instigate the people’s information, an Eritrean company reminder of what had transpired in the past. uprising and internal turmoil. Main Contents of the is promoting weapon smuggling allegations from Eritrea. In 2008-2009 many • This will be followed reports were received linking this 1. CIA’s Subversive Scheme 2. Mathew A. Bokner by the intervention of an African • According to our company to weapon smuggling. - Second Secretary, Kenya; Peace Keeping Force in response to information, some of the weapons This highly condensed report is the demand of the Eritrean people. smuggled into the Gaza Strip • We also know that culled from the minutes of a secret 3. Lisa Davis – Freedom originate from Eritrea. These are representatives of the Rashaida tribe, meeting held by CIA agents in House, Deputy Director, New York; • The task of brainwashing surplus from the Eritrean military, who operate in Eritrea, established Nairobi, Kenya, on 4 June 2011 Eritrean youth, especially inside and hence, originating from its direct links with Palestinian and other related confidential 4. Jay Zimmerman, the country, is progressing well. procurement and build-up channels. organizations in the Gaza Strip information. The agenda of the Regional Refugee Coordinator, In the Diaspora, those who wish The weapons arrive in Sudan via the and mostly with Hamas elements. meeting was to chart out a plan “to US Embassy Kenya; and, to see change have lent 100% border area between the countries. topple the Government of Eritrea” support to our scheme. Some (The Confidential Circular in a short time. The participants of 5. Three other CIA officers of these are academicians, • We assess that ties with contains names and other the meeting were: who used aliases some are businessmen and the military attaché at Iran’s particulars of Eritrean and some religious figures. Embassy in Asmara, are being Sudanese Government officials 1. Joey Hood - former Excerpts:- exploited to promote Iranian whom it falsely accuses of Political Officer in the Embassy • Therefore, a mechanism interests in the region, including involvement in this operation) of America in Eritrea, and at the • These are critical has been put in place to remove the transferring quality Iranian time, Top Advisor on Eritrea times. We are in the midst of Eritrean government from power. It weapons to Eritrea, and from there Ministry of Information and Afghanistan in the State executing an organized and well- will be either through the pressure to Sudan and to the Palestinian Asmara Department; coordinated operation against the of sanctions and people’s rising as a Organizations in the Gaza Strip. 1 November 2019 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 4

Asmara: An Origin Story

Natnael Yebio W. enemy and preserve peace the four clans that they must unite. The men Although it would be easy to think accepted, hence the name “Arbate of Asmara, the Eritrean capital, Asmera”. Arbate Asmara literally solely as an Italian built colonial means, in the Tigrinya language, city, its origins actually reaches “the four (feminine plural) made hundreds if not a thousand years them unite”. Eventually Arbate before. Asmara is possibly the safest was dropped and it has been African capital in the continent. It is called Asmara which means “they one of the cleanest cities in Africa. [feminine, thus referring to the The streets are elegantly lined with women] made them unite”. There is palms and a string of boutiques, still a district called Arbaete Asmara coffee-shops and restaurants in the Administrations of Asmara. reminiscent of southern Italy. Asmara is very diverse when Asmara stands alone as the only it comes to religion. Four big capital, other than Cairo, that is landmarks of the city are the Church founded on the ruins of culture of Our Lady of the Rosary and the that gave birth to contemporary Kidane Mehret Cathedral of the life; as such it resembles other Catholic faith, the Enda Mariam capitals that boast great antiquity, Cathedral of the Eritrean Orthodox such as Rome or Athens. At 7,900 Tewahedo Church and the Al feet of altitude, Asmara resembles Khulafa Al Rashiudin Mosque of an abandoned film set, its idle the Islamic faith. population waiting in cafés and the the town’s population increased which to expand inland, and five designs sprout, further influencing remains of Italian plazas. Art deco Back before the four clans joined more than three fold. Its commercial years on, Italy declared their newly the vernacular architecture of the buildings align behind palm trees on in unison, these clans respectively importance grew with increased acquired territory to be Eritrea. The region. Asmara was populated by a trade with Massawa, expanding famous 1896 Battle of Adua saw large Italian community. The city of considerably. the Italians losing to the Ethiopians; Asmara had a population of 98,000, forcing them to acknowledge of which 53,000 were Italian Asmara started to grow rapidly Ethiopia as a separate state. The according to the Italian census of when it was occupied by Italy in invaders were humiliated by the 1939. This fact made Asmara the 1889 and was made the capital city defeat, but did not lose their hold on main “Italian town” of the Italian of Italian Eritrea in preference to Eritrea, and a year later, Asmara was empire in Africa. In all of Eritrea Massawa by Governor Martini in reassigned as its capital. the population of Italians was only 1897. 75,000 in total in that year, making The beauty of Asmara belies The Italian army set camps in Asmara by far their largest centre. its dark origins. A city that today’s Tsetserat, BietMeka, Kudus is collectively a Modernist Michael areas of Asmara. Notably Many industrial investments masterpiece, its incongruous the Colonists called Tsetserat, camp were made by Italy in Asmara (and architecture is testament to the Baldiserra, giving nod to the then surrounding areas of Eritrea), but the forcible subjugation of indigenous Administrator of Eritrea Daniel beginning of World War II stopped culture to the colonial powers that Baldisiera. the blossoming industrialization of had settled there. For in 1890, the area. large avenues and boulevards, their had their own churches, Kudus Eritrea became the first territory In the early 20th century, a railway style reminiscent of similar colonial Giorgis for GhezaShelele, Kudus to fall under Italian Rule during line was built to the coast, passing The Italians believed their new cities such as Rabat, Mogadishu, Qorqos for Gheza Asmae, Kudus the infamous Scramble for Africa. through the town of Ghinda, under Empire would last forever, yet in Tripoli and Casablanca. The capital Michael for Ghaza Serenser and Eritrea was formed from a number the direction of Carlo Cavanna. 1941 during World War II, Eritrea traces back its origin to 800BC with Kudus Gebriel for GhezaG urtom. of separate provinces and kingdoms In both 1913 and 1915 the city was seized by the British. After a population ranging from 100 to The missionary Remedius Prutky and was not declared a unified or suffered only slight damage in large subsequent subjugation under 1000 people. The city was settled passed through Asmara in 1751, centralized country until the Italians earthquakes. In the late 1930s the Ethiopian power, Eritrea gained in the 12th century by shepherds more than a hundred years before imposed their rule on the region. Italians changed the face of the independence as late as 1991, and from AkeleGuzay. They founded the Italians, and described in his Landing in 1869, the Rubattino town, with a new structure and there are still ongoing tensions four villages on the hills. Mostly memoirs that a church built there by Shipping Company purchased a plot new buildings: Asmara was called between the two countries. The lack Tigrinya and Tigre people use to live Jesuit priests 130 years before was of land near Assab (in the province Piccola Roma (Little Rome). of stability in the region ensured around there. Originally, according still intact. of Denkalia), under the pretext of that little development could take to Eritrean Tigrinya oral traditional functioning as a trading post for the While Eritrea was under Italian place; as such, Asmara remains history, there were four clans living In this period Asmara was known governors of the region. But after colonial rule, early-20th-century largely as it was after the Italians in the Asmara area on the Kebessa as a part of the kingdom of Medri 13 years, Assab was established as Italians used Asmara “to experiment left, though many places have fallen Plateau: the Gheza Gurtom, the Bahri (Hamassien). Emperor an official Italian colony. There was with radical new designs” in into disrepair. Gheza Shelele, the Gheza Serenser Yohannes IV of Ethiopia briefly widespread opposition and conflict architecture. In the 1910s, Eritrea and Gheza Asmae. occupied the area and gave his trusted between the inhabitants of Denkalia stood as the industrial center for the Rising congruously from the Ras Alula the title of governor of and their Italian colonizers; yet Italy administrative territory of Italian East Eritrean landscape, Asmara is an These towns were frequently Medri Bahri. Alula moved the capital was not dismayed, and continued Africa. Powered by Italian Fascists apparent monument to its history. attacked by clans from the low of the province to Asmara, which its expansion, going on to occupy who challenged architect Odoardo Whilst it owes its appearance to land and from the rulers of “seger then had about 150 inhabitants. At a number of cities and provinces Cavagnari to design a “Little the imposition of an oppressive merebmelash” (which now is a this time, the largest city in Eritrea including Keren, Seraye and Rome,” the Eritrean capital Asmara and didactic regime, there is no Tigray region in Ethiopia). Until was Debarwa. Dubarwa at the time Akeluguzai. In 1885, Massawa became a space of experimentation questioning the superlative beauty the women of each clan decided was capital city of the Bahri Negasi became the main administrative for radical Italian architects. The and historic importance held in the that in order to defeat their common of Medri Bahri. Within four years, capital of the Italian colony from small village saw hundreds of bold buildings of the city. Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 5

Health service in Hagaz sub-zone

Habtom Tesfamichael health care. travel to keren. But soon the public’s awareness about different service will start to be given and diseases, we need also to work on Since liberation, Eritrea has Mr. Gebremesqel Gebrehiwet, physicians will be assigned to the raising people’s awareness about made unprecedented reduction in director of the Ministry of health center in Hagaz to do the the use of drugs. Some people infant, under-five and maternal Health’s (MoH) branch in the job, Mr. Gebremesqel says. don’t even know that some mortality. It has also been sub-zone, says “the public infections can be healed through successful in controlling many awareness towards health is Each of the health facilities has simple home curing methods,” communicable diseases including improving and the number of its own pharmaceutical unit, and Mr. Gebremesqel says. malaria, measles and HIV-AIDS. people who go to health centers the pharmacy of the health center These have been made possible and clinics is rising. And the in Hagaz is digitalized for an To mitigate the problem of mainly due to the government’s practice of traditional medicine efficient and effective delivery of electric supply, a new secure solar commitment that puts health care is drastically decreasing”. service. power supply has been installed. at the center of its development Mr. Gebremesqel Gebruhiwet This has helped the hospital to plan. As Hagaz is located in an The ophthalmic department and operate without any difficulty. area suitable for mosquito blindness control division now All of the health centers in the Access to health care within 10 Graduates of the medical reproduction, malaria was one have full capacity to give adequate sub-zone now have their own Km radius increased from around school in Asmara, including of the most lethal diseases in service to the inhabitants of the solar energy supply. 40 percent at the time of Eritrea’s physicians, optometric and the area. The other diseases that sub-zone. Among other things, liberation to around 75 percent laboratory technicians, mid- pose a public health problem in the facility has a lens production One of the shortcomings of now, while around 60 percent wives, pharmacists and nurses, are the area include dengue fever and equipment for those who need it the health service in the sub- of the population lives within 5 assigned to the health facilities as chikungunia. Mr. Gebremesqel and the service is offered almost zone is the fact that there are Kms from a health facility. Today part of the efforts to improve the says “we have been working to free of charge. only two ambulances for the six we will look at the progress of health care services provided in control these diseases in the last health centers. This is making health service in Hagaz sub-zone Hagaz sub-zone. This has played couple of years and succeeded in Mr. Gebremesqel says though it hard for the health stations in Anseba region. a key role in reducing the human decreasing the death rate caused sometimes shortage of drugs in remote locations to send resource deficit in the sub-zone. by these diseases”. occurs due to unexpected rise in patients to the referral hospital. There were only two health Currently, there are around 70 the number of patients, the health As a result, patients are obliged facilities in Hagaz sub-zone health professionals in the sub- The ultimate aim of the MoH is centers provide secure health to pay a large amount of money prior to independence, one in zone. the provision of modern medical service. for transportation. Residents Hagaz and another in Ashera. services by setting up health from the remote areas say that These facilities were small and The health facilities give facilities that are efficient, well “Though good progress has in some cases the amount they had limited capacity to serve all kinds of service to the equipped, staffed and managed been made in reducing the pay reaches 2000-3000 Nakfa to the people who lives in their inhabitants. The health center in to meet the communities’ needs. practice of traditional medicine, reach Hagaz. surroundings. Now, the number Hagaz comprises of ophthalmic The health facilities in the sub- much remains to be done in terms of health facilities in the area department, pre and ante-natal zone of Hagaz are equipped with of raising public health awareness The MoH branch in the sub- rose to six. These facilities are care departments, vaccination facilities needed for primary about the use of drugs. One of the zone is working to solve this located in Ashera and Kermed, units, OPD and permanent health care service. Patients with most commonly seen problems problem and find other better to the south of the center of the care departments, volunteer serious medical cases that cannot is the use of drugs, especially alternatives in consultation with sub-zone, in Begu and Glass in counseling and guidance center be handled by the health facilities antibiotics, without a physician’s the sub-zone’s Administration. the east, Hashishay in the north- and other units. The other health in the sub-zone are referred to prescription. Frequent misuse of west and Daerotay to the west of stations give mother and child the regional referral hospital in antibiotics for simple infections According to the WHO the sub-zone. Their capacity and care, control communicable and Keren. The health center located is causing drug resistance standards, every health quality of service are improving non-communicable diseases and in Hagaz does not have an X-ray problems”. station should have its own from time to time. raise public awareness about machine, forcing patients to “As we have worked to raise the ambulance among others. Mr. Gebremesqel hopes this can be met. Telecommunication service is also one of the major hurdles for patients who want to call for help because some of the health stations are located where there is no telephone service.

To ease this kind of problems, especially for pregnant mothers, waiting rooms have been established and the communities often cooperate in contributing money to send patients to the central hospital.

Community hygiene is an integral part for secure progress in the health sector. The MoH branch in the sub-zone advises

continued on page 6 Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 6 local news

SRS: committees for Seminar on controlling rehabilitation and Meeting on ensuring development Community based committees communicable diseases for rehabilitation and development rights of children aimed at supporting the disabled, elderly citizens and The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare branch in the Southern Shambuko, 05 November 2019- Seminar on controlling communicable other disadvantaged citizens region in cooperation with the Ministries of Health and Education as diseases that are transmitted through mosquitoes and ways and means are established at the level of well as the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEW) of controlling was conducted in Shambuko sub-zone. administrative areas in the Southern organized a meeting on 26 October in Mendefera aimed at ensuring the Red Sea region. right of children and eradicating harmful practices. Explaining on the diseases that are transmitted through mosquitoes, Mr. Sultan Hagos, head of Information and Promotion at the Ministry According to Mr. Yosief Speaking at the occasion, the head of the branch office, Mr. Haile of Health branch in the Gash Barka region, called for proper use of Fissehaye, head of Social Welfare Gebremichael, stated that the objective of the meeting was to reinforce impregnated bed nets and clearing mosquito breeding areas as well as in the Ministry of Labor and integrated effort on the part of government bodies, particularly conducting regular environmental sanitation activities. Social Welfare, the objective of the the Ministries of Education and Health as well as the NUEW and committees that will be chaired by administrations in eradicating harmful practices and ensuring the rights Indicating that environmental sanitation is one of the basic instruments area administrators is to support of children. for controlling the prevalence of communicable disease, Mr. Ibrahim disabled, elderly and disadvantaged Yakob, head of Malaria Control in the sub-zone, called on the residents citizens, become self-supportive At the meeting, committee’s of child rights presented activity reports to follow the advice provided by experts. and productive members of the including on the progress of the effort to eliminate Female Genital society. Mutilation, underage marriages and other harmful practices. Mr. Kahsai Asrat, administrator of Shambuko sub-zone, called for sustainable awareness raising programs and the residents to conduct The committees will also organize The Director General of Social Services in the Southern region, Mr. sustainable environmental sanitation activities. awareness-raising campaigns and Kaleab Tesfasselasie, said that important recommendations that could seminars to members of the society have significant contribution in the effort to eradicate harmful practices with the view to changing attitude were presented and called for strengthened integrated effort. towards the disabled and other disadvantaged citizens. Health service in Hagaz . . .

foot medics report to the MoH recently introduced a mental `The drug vendors in the sub- source. To obtain the license, drug continued from page 5 of the sub-zone all eligible ages health service. Three physicians zone are licensed by the MOH, vendors are required to submit to be vaccinated from every were trained in the mental health which allows them to purchase evidence of their qualifications village. Last year, 47% of the (MH) for the newly acquired MH drugs from Pharmecor in Asmara. and experience in pharmacy. The every household to have its own population was vaccinated for machines that help analyze data They must buy drugs from health committee of the sub-zone toilet. This is widely applied in polio and rubella. This was a related to mental health problems Pharmecor and are not allowed routinely conducts supervision the remote areas. “In the remote good experience for the current reported to the hospital. to obtain drugs from any other on the drug vendors. villages we are looking to launch preparation to vaccinate 70% of open deification free (ODF) the population. Currently, around and achieve the 2022 target of seven vaccinations are being ODF Eritrea. But many toilets, given. especially in the villages, are built using mud bricks that can’t Hagaz sub-zone has also made withstand rain. The communities significant progress in reducing are advised to build their toilets the harmful traditional practices. so that they may last long. Mr. Gebremesqel says, “We have been working for the last several “We always inform mothers years to make the people aware they should visit a hospital eight of the damaging consequences times during pregnancy, which of practices such as FGM, is very critical for the pre-natal cupping, under-age marriage and care. Though the number of other harmful use of traditional women who give birth in health medicines”. centers has increased, we have not yet achieved our target to get Those who are involved in the all pregnant mothers give birth in illegal practices such as FGM the health centers. There are still are reported to the police and the women who give birth in their health institutions and necessary homes,” says Mr. Gebremesqel. corrections are given to those who commit these kinds of prohibited Regarding vaccination actions. coverage, Mr. Gebremeskel said that the sub-zone has made The sub-zone has had zero significant progress. Vaccination case of HIV in the last three campaigns are conducted in years. It can be said that the HIV cooperation with the local prevalence is under full control. administrations and schools. The The health center in Hagaz has Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 7

United Nations Invitation for Bids CORE VALUES: INTEGRITY, PROFESSIONALISM, RESPECT FOR DIVERSITY VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT Loan/Financing No: 2100150032395, 200155028969 VA/10/2019 IFB No: 06.2/02/NCB/ADF/DRSLP II/RSD/YT/1/2019 The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office in Asmara invites qualified applicants (Eritrean) for the following vacant post: o IFB N : 06.2/02/NCB/ADF/DRSLP II/RSD/YT/2/2019 Job Code Title: Associate Development Coordination Officer, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting 1. This Invitation for Bids (IFB) follows the General Classified Grade: NOB Procurement Notice (GPN) for this Project that appeared in Duty Station: Asmara United Nations Development Business online (UNDB online) Type of Contract Fixed Term Appointment (One-year renewable No.AfDB510-07/15 dated 30 July 2015, and on the African subject to funding availability) Development Bank’s Internet Website (www.afdb.org). Organizational Context 2. The Government of the State of Eritrea (GoSE) received a The position is located in the United Nations Resident Coordination financing from the African Development Bank (ADF) in various Office (RCO) in Eritrea and typically reports to the Senior Development currencies towards the cost of Drought Resilience and Sustainable Coordination Officer, Strategic Planning and RCO Team Leader. Livelihoods Programme-IV Eritrea Programme. It is intended Responsibilities: that part of the proceeds of this loan/financing will be applied to Within delegated authority, the Development Coordination Officer, Data eligible payments under the contract for: Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting will be responsible of Lot1. LABORATORY EQUIPMENT and Lot2. CHEMICAL the following duties: (These duties are generic and may not be carried REAGENTS; out by all Development Coordination Officers, Data Management and Results Monitoring/Reporting.) 3. The Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) now invites sealed Bids from eligible Bidders for the supply of the above mentioned goods Summary of key functions: (hereinafter called “the Goods”). National Competitive Bidding will 1. Provides substantive support for the development and implementation be conducted in accordance with the Bank’s Rules and Procedures of UN Country Team (UNCT) data and research strategies for Procurement of Goods and Works, May 2008 edition, revised 2. Assists in the development and expansion of strategic research and July 2012. data partnerships, including with UN entities at regional and HQ level, government counterparts, research institutes, leading global 4. Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information thinkers on development, and civil society from and inspect the bidding documents at the office of 3. Undertakes monitoring and reporting of UNCT results under the UN PSMU–MoA, Sawa Street, P.O. Box 1048 Tel. 002911189266/ Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) 002911180699, email: [email protected]. 4. Supports knowledge management and capacity development related to data and monitoring 5. A complete set of Bidding Documents may be received by interested bidders upon the submission of a written application to MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS the said Executing Agency. Education: Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent 6. The provisions in the Instructions to Bidders and in the degree) in business or public administration, information General Conditions of Contract are the provisions of the Bank’s management, statistics, sustainable development, social Standard Bidding Document for Procurement of Goods. sciences, education or related area. A first-level university degree in combination with two additional years of 7. Bids must be delivered to the above office on or before 14:30 qualifying experience may be accepted in lieu of the pm local time on 03/12/2019 and must be accompanied by a secu- advanced university degree. rity of for Lot 1 LABORATORY EQUIPMENT USD 2,000.00; Lot Experience: A minimum of two years of progressively responsible 2 CHEMICAL REAGENTS USD 550.00 respectively. Bids shall experience in providing strategic support to research remain valid for 120 days after the deadline for bid submission pre- and data analysis, knowledge management or project/ scribed above. programme management in the context of development cooperation or related area is required. Language: Fluency in one of the working languages of the UN Secretariat, English or French, is required; knowledge of 8. Bids will be opened in the presence of bidders’ the other is desirable. Knowledge of another UN official representatives who choose to attend at 15:00 pm hours local language is an advantage time on 03/12/2019, at the offices of Ministry of Agriculture of Other considerations: For more details please collect the Terms of Reference from the UNDP Reception Desk. Interested applicants should the State of Eritrea, Procurement and Supplies Management submit duly filled P11 form (available at the UNDP Reception Desk, UN Unit, Sawa Street, P.O. Box 1048, Tel. 002911189266/ Office in Asmara) and a detailed CV with supporting documents. Copy 002911180699, [email protected]. of document indicating exemption from/completion of national service should be sent to UNDP Reception Desk, and UN offices, Asmara, 9. The Ministry of Agriculture reserves the right to accept or Eritrea. reject this bid fully or in part if it finds any option better than UNDP will contact those who are considered Potential candidates. Closing this IFB without needing to justify the grounds for it doing so and date for the application is 10 days from the date of announcement. compensation which the bidder may incurred in preparing its bid. “UNDP is an equal opportunity employer which strives to achieve overall balance in its staffing patterns” Ministry of Agriculture Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, November 6, 2019 Vol. 26 No. 72 8

Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040:i nducting Billion Temesghen conversations in Asmara Last week, Eritrea hosted a two-day workshop on the popularization of “Africa’s Agenda for Children 2040” and the finding of the study on children on the move. The workshop, which was organized by the African Union, was attended by East and Northern African countries including Eritrea, Somalia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Sudan, Morocco, as well as regional and global organizations.

Local media outlets have already published the key-note speech of the Eritrean Minister of Labor and Social Welfare, Ms. Leul Gebreab, conveyed at the occasion. In her address, Ms Leul reminded the participants that Eritrea signed the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) soon after its independence and has been highly committed to the welfare of Eritrean children.

Q&A and ERI-TV spoke to Ms. Nanikie Nkwe, the Chairperson of the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare and Mr. Ayalo Getachew, child support officer working on legal matter at the ACERWC, to further get their opinion on the workshop and the main subject of the assembly.

of legislative forms in terms of move in Africa. So our objective within the continent as well as realizing children’s right in the is a dual segment objective. within the member states of the respective states. African Union. What is the role of the African How do you evaluate Eritrea’s Union in protecting the rights Therefore, from this specific work to this end? and welfare of children? workshop we are trying to bridge the link between member We received the report of The African Union has different states and the regional economic Eritrea in 2015 and that to us organs and institutions. One of community within the region of was an indicator of the country’s the organs which has actually the Horn and North Africa. We commitment to the charter. organized this workshop is the have IGAD and UMA on board. We ultimately forwarded our African Committee of Experts concluding observations to for the Rights and Welfare of the There seems to be some kind of Eritrean authorities and we are Child. This organ was established disconnection between child rights planning to come back in the near to monitor the African Charter on work in the region of the Horn future to conduct a follow up the rights and welfare of children. of Africa, at member state level, mission. That mission will help It is a continental instrument that and child rights work within the Ms. Nanikie Nkwe us determine the commitment outlines the rights of children, of regional economic communities. Chairperson of ACERWC to the implementation of the course, but also the duties and So, now we are trying to identify charter. With us being here on responsibilities of member states, the major challenges and concerns Thank you for your time, Ms. states’ approach towards the the ground, working closely which the State of Eritrea is also that member states in these two Chairwoman. Could you first implantation of the agenda? with governmental and non- part of. The committee’s mandate regions have within the legal please tell us the objective of the governmental organizations as whereby the rights of children are and economic frame and trying workshop? Our evaluation system is based well as civil society organizations, on the report we receive from I am certain that we will definitely The objective of this workshop party states, that is our most attain more. is to popularize agenda 2040, critical indicator of how well Africa’s agenda for children, countries are doing. Through this and also to share with member report we are able to understand states from the North and the how well the countries have Horn of Africa the findings of done in terms of domesticating studies carried out throughout the the charter and delivering the continent regarding children on aspiration of the charter. Can you please say a few words the move. about the workshop? What are the challenges Our mission is to create an encountered and achievements This workshop is aimed at Africa that is fit for children by registered by this committee? popularizing Agenda 2040, monitoring and implanting the which is African Union’s agenda charter and holding state parties Our achievements are shown in for children. We expect it to to account for the implementation the reports member states have culminate by 2040. The agenda Mr. Ayalo Getachew of Child treaty. And so, from been submitting. The indicators was adopted by the African Child Support Officer Working on Legal Matter at ACERWC the workshop we aspire to get show improvements in the Union in 2015 and incorporates member states of the African ratification of the charter. Of ten guiding principles on the Union and state parties who have course, we do have challenges rights and welfare of children also promoted is wide and broad. to bridge the two by creating ratified the charter to understand too. Sometimes some state that should be implemented by Starting from setting standards dialogues. We believe this is the aspirations of Agenda 2040 parties report legislative reforms member countries. Moreover, by undertaking investigative the initial conversation in this and to be able to see the synergy without indicating effectiveness there is another segment in the missions and other guidelines region to enhance the protection between Agenda 2020 and the of those legislative reforms. That workshop that aims at popularizing to engage member states on and implementation of children’s Charter, and therefore to leverage is the major challenge but we are recommendations and findings the ground through forums and right. on this synergy. working hand in hand with them that this continental body has bilateral dialogues to protecting How do you evaluate member to help them translate the rewards taken regarding children on the and promoting children’s right Thank you for your time.