Special Issue Vol 28. No.11 Wedensday, 26 May, 2021 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATED ENTHUSIASTICALLY initiatives for the effective implementation of our national security and developmental programs on the basis of the revised broad roadmap of mobilization. He also urged for greater participation of nationals abroad in view of their greater potential and particular opportunities (Full text of the President’s keynote address is on page 3). At an opening speech delivered, Chairperson of the National Holidays Organizing Committee, the Commissioner of Culture and Sports Ambassador Zemede Tekle stated that the official ceremony was held in compliance with guidelines issued to curb the spread of the The 30th anniversary of the Defense Forces and said that the historical backdrop, the the prevailing turbulent global COVID-19 pandemic. He further Independence Day was celebrated the significance and splendor of bedrock, and statue, on which the and regional setting underscores commended all that contributed enthusiastically in the afternoon this momentous day radiate more significance of Independence Day the imperative to strengthen our to realize the colorful celebration hours of 24 May at an official with time; year-in and year-out. rests on is the ferocious struggle developmental endeavors above event. ceremony conducted at Asmara And beyond instilling immense the Eritrean people waged with and beyond the efforts we exert to Stadium. jubilation and pride, it impels us to heroism and resilience to assert preserve and protect our national The official Independence Day ponder on, and mull over several the independence and sovereignty independence and sovereignty. celebration, 24 May, was broadcast In his keynote address, President indelible truths, President Isaias of their country through heavy live via ERI-TV and Dimtsi Hafash Isaias Afwerki extended his added. sacrifices. President Isaias, finally, urged featuring a military parade and warmest congratulations to the for extensive popular participation musical performances, as well as a Eritrean people and members of President Isaias further stressed President Isaias also stated that for more dynamic and vigorous 20-minute fireworks display. MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS ERITREANS IN DIASPORA CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY ANNIVERSARY Eritrean nationals in Kuwait, said that the progress registered in In a speech he delivered at the Republic of South Sudan, Jeddah, curbing the spread of the COVID- event, Ambassador of Eritrea to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 19 pandemic is the result of the the Republic of South Sudan, Sudan, South Africa and Kenya strong and integrated endeavor Mr. Yohaness Teklemicael have enthusiastically celebrated on the part of the Government indicating that in the past 30 the 30th Independence Day and the people of Eritrea. years the Eritrean people have anniversary under the theme emerged victorious by foiling “Resilient: As Ever”. Likewise, nationals residing various hostilities and challenges in the Republic of South Sudan expressed conviction on every Accordingly, the nationals celebrated the 30th Independence citizen to strengthen participation in Kuwait celebrated the Day anniversary on 23 May in and contribution in the nation- Independence Day anniversary Juba in the presence of South on 23 May respecting the Sudanese friends of Eritrea. continued on page 6 Asmara, 25 May 2021- Prime of the Portuguese Republic, Queen guidelines of social distancing Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed and Elizabeth of the United Kingdom, issued by their country of President Sahle-Work Zewde of the Pope Francis of Vatican, King residence and renewed their Federal Democratic Republic of Willem-Alexander of the Kingdom pledge to strengthen contribution Ethiopia, President Vladmir Putin of the Netherlands, President in national development drives. of the Russian Federation, President Mahmud Abbas of the State of Cyril Ramaphosa of the Republic Palestine, as well as Mr. Moussa Faki Speaking at the celebratory of South Africa, President Sergio Mahamat, Chairman of the African event, Mr. Humed Yahya Ali, Mattarella of the Italian Republic, Union Commission sent messages Charge d’Affairs at the Embassy President Michael D. Higgins of of congratulations to the people and of Eritrea in Kuwait stating that the State of Ireland, President Edgar Government of Eritrea in connection the Eritrean people in the past 30 ChagwaLunga of the Republic of with the 30th Independence Day years have emerged victorious Zambia President Ilham Aliyev anniversary. in the face of hostilities and of the Republic of Azerbaijan, conspiracies against its President Marcelo Robelo de-Sousa continued on page 6 independence and sovereignty Resilient As Ever Eritrea Profile, Wedensday, 26 May, 2021 Vol 28. No.11 2 A Snapshot of the Official Celebration of the 30th Independence Anniversary Mikal Tesfay people’s passion, I got lost nationalism and nationhood was COVID-19 guidelines and sovereignty was not confined to in my own thoughts. I was solidified through the national thanked the senior government combating the security threats Eritrean Independence Day is reminded that the common liberation struggle. Suddenly, I and PFDJ officials, army emanating from the forces of greed the most important public holiday struggle, characterized by heard the host of the program commanders, religious leaders, and domination. Nation building in the country. On this day, May bitter experience, enriched the telling the people to stand up members of the diplomatic corps, through effective developmental 24, 1991, the Eritrean People’s repertoire of common memories, and welcome the President who and Eritrean nationals for their undertaking was also a mission Liberation Front forces defeated a necessary prerequisite for living arrived at the stadium. That’s efforts and attendance. He then pursued with equal priority. the heavily armed Ethiopian army together. In that respect, the when I was brought back to invited President Isaias Afwerki Although we may not have and made their way to the capital armed struggle for the liberation reality. to deliver a keynote speech on managed to achieve all-rounded of Eritrea. Every national in and of Eritrea represents the most the occasion. progress, sector by sector, and in out of the country celebrates May outstanding and vital process in The program started at 5:00 various fields and projects – with 24 with pride. a chain of historical events that p.m. with a moment of silence to In his speech, President Isaias the pace envisioned and to the congratulated Eritreans inside extent of our aspirations – the I arrived at Asmara Stadium, and outside of the country for track record in our priority areas where the national celebration of the ferocious struggle the Eritrean is satisfactory. We have no doubts the 30th Independence Day was people waged with heroism and that overall progress will be held, at 4:30 p.m. As I took my resilience to assert the independence expedited in the period ahead on steps through the entrance gate, I and sovereignty of their country. the basis of the programs charted could feel my heartbeat increasing He went on to reiterate the out and reviewed already. The and joy spreading through my theme of the 30th Independence experiences gleaned so far will whole body. The noise coming Day anniversary, “Resilient- as also be crucial in this endeavor. from the crowd didn’t annoy ever!” before noting how global me. I walked through the stairs and regional agendas have Another factor that has direct and sat in my seat, starting to profoundly impacted our history impact on our developmental take everything in. I looked to and led to challenges that have programs and undertakings is my left, to my right, and then demonstrated the determination the COVD-19 pandemic. The to those who were sitting on the of the people. commotion and staggering seats above mine. You could loss of life that the pandemic feel the same vibe from those President Isaias said, has inculcated globally in the who were dancing and cheering, began in 1890 and culminated pay tribute to Eritrea’s martyrs. “Protecting and preserving gently touching their chests with in the formation of the State of A speech was then given by the national independence and continued on page 6 their palms. You could see the deep pride and happiness on their faces. The entire atmosphere PRESS RELEASE takes you back to May 24 of 1991, when everyone in Asmara went out of their houses to cheer and US STATE DEPARTMENT LATEST welcome the freedom fighters. ACTION IS NOT WARRANTED As I was appreciating the Last Sunday, May 23rd, the US State Department issued a Press Release that announces, among other matters, “Visa restriction policy…on the issuance of visas for any current or former Eritrean government officials, members of the security forces, or other individuals, responsible, complicit in, undermining resolution of the crisis in Tigray” Region of Ethiopia. Published Every Eritrea is dismayed by the content and language of this announcement. The crisis in Tigray Region of Ethiopia unfolded solely due to the dangerous SaturdayPublished & Wednesday Every WednesdayPublished & SaturdayEvery Eritrea in 1991. Underscoring the Head of the National Holidays acts of military insurrection that the now defunct TPLF group launched Saturday & Wednesday immense importance of the period Coordination Committee, on 3 November 2020. This premeditated act of unprecedented scale and gravity was endorsed by the TPLF Central Committee in the preceding Acting Editor days and audaciously announced by its spokesperson as a “blitzkrieg” that Acting Editor Amanuel Mesfun will achieve its objectives soon after it was launched. The TPLF’s military Amanuel Mesfun scheme was not confined to Ethiopia but also included Eritrea as a target. [email protected] Mesfun [email protected] The extreme danger and turmoil that would have ensued in Ethiopia, P.O.Box: 247 P.O.Box: 247 Eritrea and the Horn of Africa region as a whole had the TPLF’s original Tel: 11-41-14 scheme succeeded is too evident to merit further explanation.