Special Edition

No. 58 Saturday, 09 January, 2021 Pages 4 Abune Petros gives benediction Abune Petros, Archbishop of the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, gives benediction in connection with Christmas.

In his message Abune Petros wished Merry Christmas to Eritrean people inside the country and abroad, to by the Government with a view front line health workers as well to contain the spread of COVID- as to members of the Eritrean 19 pandemic for the sake of their Defense Forces. He also wished lives and safety of the country. early recovery to the sick. Abune Petros also called on the Abune Petros urged the public faithful to extend hands to the Sudanese senior delegation in Asmara to practice the guidelines issued disadvantaged citizens. As part and parcel of close bilateral Foreign Minister of Sudan Mr. evening hours of yesterday. Musical concert in connection with Christmas celebration consultations at highest levels, Omar Gamar-Aldin said that the It is to be recalled that in a visit Musical concert themed “History Through Art” was held here in the Sudanese senior delegation led by objective of the visit was to bolster conducted on 5 and 6 January, Capital in connection with the New Year and Geez Christmas celebrations. Vice President of the Sovereign the growing bilateral ties between ’s delegation composed of Council, General Mohammed the two countries and joint efforts Foreign Minister Osman Saleh The musical concert that was held in Cinema Roma was organized by Hamdan Duglo, has arrived in for regional cooperation. He also and Presidential Adviser Yemane the collaboration of the Eritrean Defense Forces Training Center and the Asmara in mid-morning hours of said that the two sides agreed to Ghebreab delivered a message from Ministry of Information. yesterday, 21 January. hold regular exchange of visits and President Isaias Afwerki to Sudan’s It included musical performances from the mid-1950’s to this day depicting In a meeting held at the State House, consultations. President of the Sovereign Council, the history of the armed and political struggle of the Eritrean people as well President Isaias and the Sudanese General Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan. the strong resistance against external conspiracies. Vice President General Mohammed Upon arrival at the Asmara The delegation also met Vice Hamdan Duglo exchanged views on International Airport, the Sudanese President of the Sovereign Council The two-hour musical concert was also highlighted by cultural and artistic current developments in the Horn. senior delegation led by Vice General Mohammed Hamdan performances by the National Marching Band, Sawa cultural troupe and The two sides agreed to further President General Mohammed Duglo and Prime Minister Abdella other renowned artists. Preparation and rehearsals for the concert has been deepen the strategic and brotherly Hamdan Duglo was accorded warm Hamdock. conducted for the last 4 months, Maj. Mihreteab Kidane, director of the ties between the two countries in welcome by Foreign Minister Osman musical concert stated. developmental, diplomatic and Saleh and Presidential Adviser security sectors. Yemane Ghebreab. The Sudanese Speaking to reporters, Acting delegation returned home in the Eritrea’s delegation with Sudan’s VP and PM Announcement Eritrea’s delegation composed of ties between the two countries between the two countries. FM Osman Saleh and Presidential and joint efforts for regional Eritrea’s delegation composed from the Ministry of Health Adviser Yemane Ghebreab met cooperation. of Foreign Minister Mr. Osman One hundred eleven patients have been diagnosed positive for COVID- in Khartoum on 6 January Vice Saleh and Presidential Adviser Mr. 19 in tests carried out yesterday at Quarantine Centers and OPD Services President of the Sovereign Council The Vice President of the Sovereign Yemane Ghebreab on 5 January in the Gash Bark, Central, Northern and Southern Regions. Mohammed Hamdan Duglo and Council, Mohammed Hamdan delivered a message from President Prime Minister Abdella Hamdock. Duglo, and, Prime Minister Abdella Isaias Afwerki to Sudan’s President Out of these, sixty nine patients are from Quarantine Centers in Adibara The Sudanese senior Government Hamdock further called for regular of the Sovereign Council, General (40), Tessenie (11), Barentu (11), Om-Hajer (2), Goluj (2), Ali Gidir (2), officials applauded growing bilateral exchange of visits and consultations Abdul Fattah Al-Burhan. and Haikota (1) in Gash Barka Region. Thirty five patients are from Quarantine Centers and OPD Services in the . Six patients are from Quarantine Centers in Mahmimet (3), Gahtelay (2), and OPD Services in (1) in the Northern Red Sea Region. The remaining one is from OPD Services in Mendefera, Southern Region.

On the other hand, sixty three patients who have been receiving medical treatment in hospitals in Gash Barka (38), and, Central (25) Regions have recovered fully and released from these facilities. Sadly, two patients, aged 60 and 55 years respectively, who were receiving medical treatment in hospitals in Gash Barka Region; and, a 50-year patient from a hospital in the Southern Region have died due to COVID-19.

The total number of recovered patients to-date accordingly stands at 803 while the number of deaths has risen to 6. The total number of confirmed cases in the country to-date has increased to 1556. Ministry of Health Asmara 8 January 2021 Eritrea Profile,S aturday, 09 January, 2021 No.58 2

Birth of a Lake Part I Kesete Ghebrehiwet plains of the Gash-Barka region. and fertile plains of the Gash- Therefore, harnessing this river of Barka region. Eritrea’s resolve to develop and a big magnitude required careful bring about social change has planning as any slight mistake Based on the studies, which been seen in its Government’s could lead to flooding. included geological studies to determination to transform its identify the types and properties agriculture hinged on building Before the construction of rocks at the river bed, a suitable dams. The construction of of Kerkebet dam, extensive area at the narrowest bed section Kerkebet dam, the largest dam in preliminary design and feasibility of Barka River had to be identified Eritrea, is a case in point. studies were carried out to Mr. Getachew Merhatsion as the dam’s site. As a result the explore and select a suitable site. narrow gorge around Afhimbol Kerkebet dam was built along An evaluation of the quantity of was done using local experts. The became the dam’s site. Barka River with a view to water that could be retained and dam has become a fountain of augmenting the water resources its value compared to the cost of life in the arid region where it is According to Eng. Kidane of Eritrea and changing the the project over the anticipated located, and with the construction Berhane, head of Engineering Eng. Kidane Berhane ecosystem of its surrounding. years of operation were carefully of the concrete barrier, the river Support Task Force at the Office Barka River, the second largest studied. A wide range of other now retreats for about 14 kms. of the President, although studies agricultural areas in Kerkebet seasonal river in Eritrea, flows factors that could affect the had been carried out prior to 2009, sub-zone. Barka River, which has from the highlands to the vast environment were also considered The Engineering Support Task detailed hydrologic and geological an annual flow of over 300 million studies were conducted to evaluate cubic meters, flows from the whether the foundation was prone central highlands to the northwest to fracturing and to check the of the Gash-Barka region. amount of sedimentation of sand and soil at the riverbed. Mr. Getachew Merhatsion, general manager of EMIC, said Highlighting the challenges that Kerkebet dam was constructed encountered during the with a vision of cultivating around construction of the dam’s 26,463 hectares, which does foundation, Eng. Kidane said that not include the 2000 hectares of clearing the underground water farm land in Afhimbol. So far, and sedimentation and, generally, around 10,000 hectares have been the excavation and cleaning leveled in Aamalait as a first step process would have been not only in preparation for the envisaged demanding but the foundation larger farm projects. would have been very shaky. For this reason, a decision was made All infrastructures, including to build the foundation through the building of the dam, that are before deciding the dam’s optimal Force and the Eritrean Mapping piles using a BG drilling machine needed for large scale farming, are size and configuration. and Information Center (EMIC), that has a diameter of 80 cms. put in place. Big water tanks that at the Office of the President, have a storage capacity of 20,000 The scoping, planning and conducted an extensive survey Kerkebet water resource cubic meters of water have been engineering work of Kerkebert that could help in the development development project was initiated erected on high ground to pump dam involved many parties and of water resources around the vast to make use of the vast fertile water to the vast agricultural areas Published Every through gravity. Published Every SaturdayPublished & Wednesday Every Kerkebet sub-zone is a very Wednesday & Saturday Saturday & Wednesday fertile area conducive for the cultivation of all kinds of Acting Editor cereals and oil seeds. Getachew Acting Editor said that around 18 species of Amanuel Mesfun sugar cane have been planted to [email protected] Mesfun multiply them for use in a variety [email protected] of soils. The pilot project has shown a remarkable outcome of P.O.Box: 247 P.O.Box: 247 up to 21 brix of sugar content Tel: 11-41-14 per hectare. Good harvest has Fax: 12-77-49 also been obtained from cotton E-mail: and groundnut plantations. [email protected]@[email protected] zena.gov.er Groundnuts cultivated in other areas of the country have a yield Advertisement: 12-50-13 of 38 to 45 shoots while that of Kerkebet is 75 to 80 shoots, a Layout Layout testament to the fertility of the AAzmerazmera BerhaneBerhane area. AidaSaraSara JoharAlem continued on page 4 Eritrea Profile,S aturday, 09 January, 2021 No.58 3

Book Review and Conversation with Amanuel Biedemariam

Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion section, Amanuel’s concise book American support helped peace deal which ended the 1998- insiders (e.g., community activists, examines how and why the US establish a large, modern army, 2000 war with Eritrea, and also ambassadors, etc.), he strengthens Recently I read the book, The became interested in Eritrea regarded as the strongest in “Black worked closely with Addis Ababa his arguments and solidifies the History of the USA in Eritrea: From following World War II, traces Africa”, the imperial regime was to isolate Asmara (even helping overall work. Additionally, the Franklin D. Roosevelt To Barack the contours of US involvement unable to contain the Eritrean engineer a set of international book integrates the experiences Obama and How Donald Trump in the country during the Cold liberation movement, which sanctions). However, during the and perspectives of Americans Changed The Course Of History, War and the subsequent period quickly grew from a small group Trump administration, Ethiopia who were stationed in Eritrea written by Amanuel Biedemariam, during Eritrea’s independence, of “bandits” into a disciplined, and Eritrea finally made peace. prior to the Derg expelling the US an Eritrean-American author. and unpacks factors that have formidable, and highly effective from the country. The first-hand Published in August 2020, the driven American policy toward military force. Eventually, the The book finishes by comparing experience of these individuals book provides a broad overview of the country over the decades. US would be unceremoniously similarities and differences and their proximity to the events the US’ relationship with Eritrea forced out of Eritrea in the late between American leaders and and topics covered in the book over the decades. Here, I offer a The book opens with a quick 1970s. In 1974, a committee policymakers from different eras provide useful and deep insights. brief review of the book and then review of Eritrea’s pre-colonial of military officers, called the (such as John Foster Dulles and a short summary of my recent and colonial history, before Derg, overthrew the 82-year-old Susan Rice), identifying several As in many developing conversation with the author. discussing how Eritrea, formerly Emperor. Soon after, the Marxist- “silver linings” to be grasped countries, knowledge and an Italian colony and then under Leninist Derg regime, led by Lt. from the US’ involvement in scholarship generated on Eritrea Review British administration, came Colonel Mengistu Haile Mariam, the country, presenting personal has largely been dominated to be federated with Ethiopia, ousted the US from the country reflections, and noting points for and driven by non-. The Greater Horn of Africa which was ruled by Emperor and realigned Ethiopia with the optimism moving forward. Eritrean writers and researchers comprises Djibouti, Eritrea, Haile Selassie. After a lengthy Soviet Union. tend to be underrepresented and Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South international process seeking to For the most part, US marginalized in scholarship about Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda. Home develop an appropriate solution Although the US had long involvement in and policies the country and its history, with to hundreds of millions, boasting to the Eritrea question, on 2 remained firmly opposed to toward Eritrea are demonstrated Eritrean works given relatively abundant natural resources, and December 1950, United Nations Eritrean self-determination, US- to have been counterproductive, scant attention. Within this context, blessed with great diversity and (UN) Resolution 390(V), passed Eritrea relations were reset after failing to promote stability in Amanuel’s book is worthwhile vast potential, the region has had by the General Assembly, and significant. It offers a a complex, often tragic, history, extinguished Eritreans’ hopes different, unique perspective and marked by recurrent famines, and aspirations for independence, an indigenous voice, potentially seemingly intractable wars and federating Eritrea with Ethiopia. broadening understanding and mutual destabilization, revolutions, The resolution was backed and deepening the canon of referenced coups d’etat, territorial disputes, sponsored by the US which, literature. and terrorism. Over the years, the within the context of the emerging Horn has attracted the attention of Cold War, determined that its Overall, the book is thought- foreign actors and been the site of geostrategic military interests and provoking and interesting, and it great power competition. Mainly, foreign policy aims could be better makes an important contribution external players have been drawn protected and served by federating to the existing body of work on to the region by its geostrategic Eritrea with Ethiopia, its close Eritrea and US foreign policy importance; the Horn is the source ally and key partner in the fight in the region. Well-written, of the longest river in the world, against the Soviet-led spread of replete with detail, while also the Nile, which connects Africa Communism in Africa. A decade straightforward and concise, the with markets in Europe and later, Ethiopian Emperor Haile book will be of great interest and beyond, while the Red Sea, Bab Selassie dissolved the federation a valuable resource for students, el Mandeb Strait, Indian Ocean, and annexed Eritrea, triggering historians, and researchers, as and Gulf of Aden represent major a thirty year armed struggle in well as those generally interested global trade sea lanes and key Eritrea. in Eritrea, Africa, and regional US security points. The region’s close foreign policy. proximity to the oil-rich Arabian The US provided Haile Peninsula, its role as gateway to Selassie’s imperial regime Conversation with the author, the continent, and global concerns with considerable economic, Amanuel Biedemariam about radicalization and terrorism, diplomatic, and military support – Eritrea became independent the region and creating various have also contributed to the Horn’s unmatched in all of Sub-Saharan in 1993. Following the 1993 risks for the US. For instance, US Amanuel, congratulations! I significance. Africa. In return for helping ensure referendum, the US immediately policy toward Eritrea led the latter thought your book was great. Ethiopia’s access to the sea, the recognized Eritrea and bilateral to pivot away from the West and What drove you to write it? Amanuel Biedemariam’s, The US was able to secure access ties between the two countries deepen its relationship with China Thanks. Eritrean history has History of the USA in Eritrea: to important military facilities were positive and cordial, even if and the Gulf, at the same time that mainly been told by others. Our From Franklin D. Roosevelt To and installations in Eritrea, there were points of disagreement Washington’s strategic interest voices and perspectives have been Barack Obama and How Donald including a communications and sensitive issues. However, in engaging constructively with missing. The history of Eritrea Trump Changed The Course Of facility at Kagnew station in relations quickly soured and then Asmara had actually been growing has often been based on limited History (Lulu Press, Inc., 2020), Asmara (Eritrea’s capital), which would considerably deteriorate (due to instability in Ethiopia and information or largely anecdotal. seeks to explore the history of was a vital US intelligence link. under a series of different US Sudan, as well state failure in So, I wanted to expand the involvement by one global power, At the time, Kagnew was the administrations (Clinton, Bush, South Sudan and Somalia). discussion and present the Eritrean the United States of America (US), largest overseas spy facility in the and Obama). The US, singularly version of the story. I also wanted in one of the youngest country’s world, with approximately 6,500- driven by a counterterrorism Amanuel’s work is useful and to give Eritreans, especially the within the Horn of Africa (and the 7,000 Americans stationed at the framework, regarded Ethiopia as a admirable. By incorporating young and future generations, world), Eritrea. Consisting of 199 facility. strategic regional ally. As a result, historical documents and other pages that comprise eight chapters, Washington supported Ethiopia’s important materials (e.g., letters, continued on page 4 as well as a general introductory However, although extensive refusal to implement a binding UN cables, etc.), as well as the views of Eritrea Profile,S aturday, 09 January, 2021 No.58 4

Testing Data Recording Templates for Small-holder Farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture Yonas, head of the Agricultural of data, was conducted by a team taking into consideration their (MoA) conducted field test of Statistics and Socio-economic of experts from the Planning and agro-ecological conditions data recording templates for Surveys Unit at the MoA. Statistics Division of the MoA and livelihood; guidelines (or small-holder farmers at Beleza, and other agricultural experts in definition of variables) of the Central region, from 4 September Mr. Yuel said the MoA updated the Central region. Data analysis templates should be prepared; to 14 December 2020. the existing data recording was conducted by experts the database should be developed templates to address the problem from the Agricultural Strategic into a mobile application; local The generation of actual and determine the actual Information Systems Division. (traditional) units should be agricultural data and statistics contribution of their Unit to food clearly defined (in all fields) and has been difficult due to the and nutrition security, economic Mr. Yuel explained that the be standardized; frequent training inconsistency of existing growth, and improvement of principal objective of the field programs should be arranged for reporting and data recording livelihoods. The field test, which test was to test the updated extension staff at village levels; templates, according to Mr. Yuel included the collection and entry data collection templates from Mr. Yuel Yonas the Planning and Statistics every household at village level Unit should be established and and ultimately generate quality Mr. Arefaine Berhe, the minister strengthened up to the sub-region national-level agricultural of Agriculture. After presentations level; and the measurement and statistics. During the field by representatives of the survey mapping of all agricultural land test, the MoA piloted the data team, the updated versions of the should be completed at village recording templates with 60 data recording templates were level prior to conducting surveys small-holder farmers engaged in validated and adopted for use as in all regions. crop, vegetable, and livestock major tools to gather necessary production. agricultural data. As part of its ongoing efforts to update the existing data Meanwhile, a meeting was At the meeting, the following recording system, the MoA has held on 14 December 2020 to comments and general directives also developed templates for data present preliminary findings of were also forwarded: Pilot collection from small and medium the survey to the MoA’s senior field tests should be conducted commercial households which management members, including in the other Eritrean regions, will be tested in the future. Book Review and Conversation . . . Birth of a . . .

The Eritrean story is largely false narratives about Eritrea. The design and construction continued from page 3 untold. The struggle for continued from page 2 of the dam demanded a highly independence and role Eritreans Any final things you would like coordinated teamwork, which played is unique. Until now, to share? The 330 million cubic meters of is critical for its safety and another perspective. writing was difficult. Eritreans water impounded in Kerkebet can sustainability. The concrete part of struggled against foreign, Eritreans have not been writing transform Eritrea’s agriculture. the dam was constructed by Keyih- What was the greatest challenge especially Western, intervention, as we should for many reasons. To Getachew said that by growing Bahri Construction Company in writing it? Tell me a bit about meddling, and intrigue. I wanted preserve our history and pass it wheat alone, it is possible to while the earth embankment the process. to capture the role of Eritreans on to future generations, we have grow the economy not only by was constructed by Bidho abroad and share their special to document it. While writing saving foreign currency through General Construction Company. The entire process was story. countless articles about our nation, import substitution but also by Teamwork and commitment challenging, except for the writing! I also chronicled part of the history developing dairy farms through of all who participated in the I love the search and discovery Also, through research over the of Eritrean communities abroad. I animal feed made from the construction of the dam have aspect, as well as putting the pieces years I understand how elaborate was a part of the journey, and that byproducts of wheat. Similarly, made the birth of the enormous of the puzzle together. Everything and extensive the external designs helped me develop a connection cotton plantation will pave a way lake a reality. else was a challenge: copy have been. Of course, it is not with the stories. I feel that I have for the development of cotton editing, line editing, formatting, unique to Eritrea. We’ve seen captured those well and I would processing plants while the (The contribution of companies proofreading, designing the book it in other places: the Congo, like Eritreans to build upon it. It cultivation of oil seeds will open and other partners in the cover, and marketing. Also, since South Sudan, Sudan, Rwanda, can also be useful for education, a venue for the development of construction of Kerkebet dam writing is not a habit for many and many other places. However, research or in the decision- and food processing plants. These will will be the subject of a follow-up in our community and because the history of the US in Eritrea policy-making process. I hope my lead to agro-industrialization. article.) there are few established places helps us understand how a lot book can support people to people to turn to for support, things of this unfolds. It exposes the interactions here in the USA, were occasionally difficult. Our motivations behind and impact of which is also why I created the community could better encourage these external forces. website USEritrea.com. and support writing. However, I am very grateful to my friends Finally, the book reaches out Finally, Eritreans should who looked over early drafts and to foreign audiences, such as the continue to support writing offered a lot of useful feedback. American people. It can hopefully endeavors, which are large influence foreign policies in our undertakings. We all should do What do you feel is the region, broaden the discussion, what we can to support those who importance of the book? and help correct the prevailing write.