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Eritrea @ Twenty Four

On 24 May, 2015 Eritrea will celebrate its 24th Independence Anniversary and on this occasion the Embassy of the State of Eritrea would like to express its gratitude to all good <g data-gr-id="50">wishers</g>. At the <g data-gr-id="49">moment</g> Eritreans residing in the country and abroad are rejoicing and colourfully celebrating their independence along with their friends. “Development through Resilience” is the theme under which the occasion is taking place. The theme is chosen to represent the sacrifices paid by the Eritrean people to fight against consecutive European and African colonisers as well as the baseless and unfounded political intrigues and economic sabotages that were imposed on its government. 

Unlike most African nations, Eritrea got its independence on the last decade of the 20th century from Ethiopia, its African coloniser that succeeded the Italian and British colonial rulers. At <g data-gr-id="59">Independence</g> Eritrea was destined to rise from the ashes of <g data-gr-id="57">war</g> that had literally ruined its economy and it’s supra and infrastructures.  The EPLF (Eritrean People’s Liberation Front) that led the Eritrean people’s armed struggle for independence took no time to legitimise the 1991 military victory by conducting a referendum in 1993 where the Eritreans casted 99.8 <g data-gr-id="52">per cent</g> of their votes for independence.  Thus, the Government of the State of Eritrea was formed and the nation’s development program became its priority.   

Building a nation from a scratch was not an easy task for the young nation. Establishing and strengthening bilateral and multi-lateral diplomatic relations, recognising the economically viable natural resource reserves to support its development programs efforts, upgrading its human resource development to meet the requirement of the day, introducing <g data-gr-id="51">cutting-age</g> technology and machinery tools, building supra and infrastructures that enhance the fulfilment of the government’s development strategy, safeguarding its sovereignty … etc. were priority ever since its inception.

Thus, Eritrea geared its natural and human resources towards national development programmes and had achieved a lot amidst numerous constraints such as, the 1998-2000 Ethio-Eritrea border war that was concluded by the final and binding decision of the <g data-gr-id="70">Ethiopia Eritrea</g> Border Commission (EEBC) that was established under the Algiers Agreement of 2000. Another constraint of similar magnitude was the unjust sanction imposed on Eritrea by the UNSC. The UNSC had failed to produce any tangible evidence that would support that Eritrea is guilty to deserve such action. The smeared political campaign by the western media channeled against Eritrea is yet another constraint that contributed to veil the real economic and political scenario not only of Eritrea but also of the Horn of African nations. It is not far when the dust that curtails the truth will settle and Eritrea’s <g data-gr-id="72">innocence</g> will be exposed. The Eritrean Government and people who had won the military, political and economic wars that were waged by the invincible forces (of the day) upon them for more than a century have all reasons to rejoice on their independence day. 

Indeed, the people and Government of the State of Eritrea proudly recall the recent phases of history that took them through the stages of <g data-gr-id="66">war</g>, peace, war and the prevailing no war - no peace situations. They are grateful for the support they had at the time of their need and for those who stood on their side in search of truth. They acknowledge that at the moment some sectors of their sovereign land is under illegal occupation by Ethiopia and the unwarranted sanction has not yet been lifted. However, justice <g data-gr-id="60">need</g> to be served and many countries and organisations have already amended their stance and are requesting Ethiopia to withdraw from <g data-gr-id="61">Eritrean</g> territory and the reversal of the unwarranted sanction. 

As the theme for the year is “Development through Resilience” the Eritrean Government’s commitment to modernise and advance Eritrea and its people <g data-gr-id="46">is</g> in place as ever before. To this end, the Embassy of the State of Eritrea in New Delhi renews its call to strengthen and bolster the economic support, technical cooperation, trade and cultural exchange as well as technology transfer systems. The bilateral relations that the two sisterly countries India and Eritrea, enjoy is so far exemplary and satisfactory. It is the Embassy’s conviction to see India’s role in improving Eritrea’s economy and social life grow by increasing its co-operation in the <g data-gr-id="40">above mentioned</g> sectors. 








  
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