The following is a speech by Mr. Omar Mohammed Ahmed, a veteran of the Eritrean liberation struggle, delivered in a meeting of Eritrean activists and opposition members in Rotterdam. In the speech Omar addresses the issue of sectarianism and regionalism, and the need to detect and expose it. Awatestaff has …

A 2001 sample page from the “Readers Said” section, which was similar toLetters To The Editor. As you will see, we used to reply to most of the comments until we discontinued the section in about a year after we launched a discussion forum. The following sample page is from …

Dear all, thank you for your replies to my comments. I have seen another Michael posting here who made some controversial statements about this site being as responsible as the criminals who killed the innocent young man. In order to make it clear that I’m not the same person I …

On Saturday January 17, 2015, thousands of Germans and immigrants marched in an anti racism demonstration that was carried out in memory of Khalid in Dresden (Watch the two Videos below). On Monday night January 12, 2015, German anti-immigrant fascist rallies in Dresden resulted in the stabbing of Khalid Idris …

The following comment was posted at Awate Forum by Hayat Adem. There were plenty, more dramatic, and more shocking tests that faded away without angering the Eritrean public. The 1997 constitution was never part of the Eritrean value and culture. Shooting kids from the back for the crime of trying …

[Note added on Jan. 12, 2015: we discovered today that the article that we translated below (red text) is almost fully plagiarized. We apologize] On November 10, 2014, Saleh Johar wrote an article entitled “Crusaders” Branding Others “Islamists”. Subsequently, the English article was translated into Arabic and posted on several …

A Memorable Conversation with Omar Jabir In Melbourne By Woldeyesus Ammar (August 4, 2005) To my viewpoint,  Omar Jabir Omar, a veteran ELF freedom fighter now in Australia, represents, in one go, a combination of many things in a contemporary Eritrean in exile – contemporary here mainly meaning the generations …

On the occasion of the new year, Isaias Afwerki was interviewed by the ruling party owned EriTV and as per the promise he gave his supporters six-months ago, he said that he has “assembled people to prepare the constitution, and that the old constitution, though [he] didn’t declare it, is …

On the occasion of the year end, yesterday Isaias Afwerki gave a two-hour interview to the government owned Eri-TV. As usual, he blamed conspirators for wanting to hinder his government’s endeavor in the development of the country. He said, “…for 15 years we didn’t face a military attack only, but also …

It has been a while since rationing of essential consumer items started in Eritrea. It has been since power became so scarce that Eritreans visiting home carry big quantities of candles. Tap water is almost nonexistent and the sanitation in Asmara and other towns is worrisome. Even with oil price …

OBITUARY (Issued by Gulf News in Arabic and translated by Awatestaff.) Every soul will taste death. Indeed we belong to Allah, and indeed to Him we will return. “ O reassured soul. Return to your Lord, well-pleased and pleasing [to Him]. And enter among My [righteous] servants. And enter My …

Why are Eritreans leaving their country? To most observers the reasons are clear but a few might not understand why many Eritreans do not return to their country once they leave. Today we present two archive posts as reminders of the push factor that has been active for a very …

National Salvation: A Citizen’s Approach Citizen’s Initiative for the Salvation of Eritrea  (CISE) Ericitizens@yahoo.com September 25, 2002 Concerned by the deepening crisis that threatens to endanger the very foundation of our nation Eritrea; Disheartened by the culture of polarization that impedes debate, compromise and peaceful resolution to conflicts; Inspired by …

Editor’s Note: Today’s sample is possibly a representative view of the rest of the world regarding Eritrea and Ethiopia. Sometimes, looking at yourself from the perspective of others, particularly in this age of interdependence and globalization, helps with proper self-assessment. We hope this will add to the ongoing heated debate between …

The following is a two part digest of some comments in two parts that appeared on the Awate Forum. The first part is by Abinet, an Ethiopian debater, while the next part is a comment by Shum, an Eritrean commentator. Abinet says: This has been my stand from day one. …

This moving rababa song which is performed by the Sudanese artist Mohammed Jubara, was, “Initially written by the poet and musician AlSir Osman AlTayeb in a form of a letter to his mother who lived in the North of Sudan, while he lived far away in Khartoum! When his friend …

In the last two years Israeli made it impossible for refugees and migrants to stay in its territories, and difficult to cross its borders, now Egypt has finally came to its help by securing its borders. Lately Egypt has began to consolidate its control over North Sinai border with Palestinian Gaza …

Over the last three days, we heard a beautiful African story from Burkina Faso; hopefully Eritrea and Sudan will take a lesson from it. On October 28, 2014, protests erupted in Burkina Faso’s capital city, Ouagadougou, against President Blaise Compaoré who was awaiting a constitutional amendment by the parliament to be able …