INTERVIEW OF PRESIDENT ISAIAS AFWERKI WITH LOCAL MEDIA
Part I (Abridged)

(The following interview was conducted with President Isaias Afwerki on 8, January 2022, on the occasion of the New Year)

• Your Excellency, in your interview last year, you elaborated extensively on the regional turmoil instigated by the TPLF and its Enablers that was juxtaposed to the global pandemic of COVID-19. In your message of good wishes for New Year (2022), you stated that the few remnants of the forces of destruction will be eradicated through the process of justice and our region will be tranquil which will lead to prosperity and development.
• We will start our interview on regional issues. As mentioned above, the war ignited in Tigray region by the TPLF and its Enablers has continued to rage since it was unleashed in November 2020. Indeed, later in recent past, the war expanded to the middle of Ethiopia causing a lot of destruction. In this regard, what can you tell us about the new developments in Ethiopia, and what would be its influence or impact at the regional level?

A. It is important to keep in mind the bigger picture when analyzing important events. We cannot speak of what has transpired since November 4, 2020, in a vacuum. The public euphoria and optimism engendered by the changes that took place in Ethiopia, coupled with the signing of the Peace Agreement is of course natural and understandable. Indeed, compared to the past 18 years, the Peace Agreement constituted a monumental achievement. Nevertheless, it was also natural for us to be cautious due to some concerns even as we remained committed to a constructive engagement. Read more

Joint Statement by Foreign Ministers of the State of Eritrea and the People’s Republic of China

5 January, 2022, Asmara

1. At the invitation of H.E. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Eritrea, H.E. Wang Yi, State Councilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, undertook an official visit to Eritrea from 4 to 5 January 2022. During the visit, State Coucilor and Minister of Foreign Affairs Wang Yi held bilateral talks respectively with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and H.E. President Isaias Afwerki.  Both sides had in-depth exchanges of views on various bilateral, regional and international issues of common interest in a cordial and candid manner.

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Urban Transportation: The Case of Asmara

By Simon Woldemichael

Asmara has a functional, accessible, responsive and safe public transportation system. The huge investment in public transport and infrastructure such as roads has made people’s lives easier. The government is importing buses to meet the increasing demand of travelers.

Transport plays a crucial role in urban development by making it easy for people to have access to schools, workplaces, health care facilities, markets, recreational places, and other essential service providers. Enhanced mobility for all is one of the most important preconditions for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). Goal 11 of the SDGs aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. Read more

Eritrea and China agree to strengthen Strategic Partnership

Asmara, 05 January 2022- President Isaias Afwerki received at State House today Chinese senior delegation led by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. Minister Wang Yi conveyed a message of President Xi Jinping to President Isaias inviting him to visit China for extensive talks on the bilateral Strategic Partnership. President Isaias for his part applauded China’s monumental progress in the past 100 years under helm of Communist Party of China to the benefit of Chinese people and the world at large. He also paid tribute to China’s significant role in the advent of balanced global order predicated on respect of international law. Read more