Vol. 22 No. 61 Wednesday, 30 September, 2015 Pages 8, Price 2,00 NFA

“Meskel”, which commemorates the finding of the True Cross, was celebrated on Monday, September 28th across the nation with the usual religious pomp and elaborate rituals.

The observances at Bahti Meskerem Square were attended by tens of thousands of the faithful, Government and PFDJ officials and members of the diplomatic corps.

The Chairman of the Synod of the Eritrean Orthodox Church, Abune Lukas, presided over the

prayers that occurred in the sequel of various religious songs and performances around the bonfire (Damiera) erected at the heart of Bahti Meskerem Square.

Abune Lukas wished the Eritrean people and followers of the Orthodox faith in particular a happy ‘MesKel’. He also called on the faithful to extend a helping hand to families of the needy, in addition to demonstrating mutual affection and harmony in their daily dealings with their compatriots. Moreover, the chairman wished peace and prosperity to the nation.

Following the prayers, Abuna Lukas lit the bonfire or “Damiera” as the customary ritual at the end of the ceremony. He was accompanied by Mr. Zerit Tewoldebrehan, the Secretary of the Central Region, in the final act.

Eritrean cyclists that have been participating in the International Cycling Championship in Richmond, United States from the 19 – 27 September, and their supporters earned great admiration from different sport analysts and media outlets.

From the 44 nations that took part in this competition, only Eritrea and South Africa represented Africa. The amazing support given

The Eritrean National Committee in Sweden has conducted an assessment meeting regarding the activities of national organizations and communities in Sweden.

Mr. Yonas Manna, Charge d’Affairs at the Eritrean Embassy in Stockholm for all

Four new books on Geez language were launched on 24 September at a ceremony held in the Offices of the Patriarch.

The Minister of Toursim, Mrs. Askalu Menkorios, underlined the importance of new publications on the Geez language as these will contribute immensely in understanding and interpreting the rich historical treasures that are preserved in different monasteries.

In this regard, the Minister paid tribute to the initiative and efforts of the author.

‘Meskel’ celebrated nationwide

assessMent Meeting in swedenScandinavian countries, spoke about the continued efforts that the Government of Eritrea was exerting to ensure national dignity, peace and progress. He further stressed the need for national organizations and communities to strengthen their organizational capacity in order to contribute more towards the collective

efforts of nation buildings.

The participants of the meeting, including representatives of PFDJ organizations, NUEW, YPFDJ and members of the Eritrean communities in Sweden presented reports regarding their respective activities and held in-depth discussions.

by Eritreans living in the United States was remarkably witnessed and made it to the headlines of different media outlets.

It is to be recalled that Eritrean cyclist Merhawi Kudus came in 11th in the under 23 men individual time trial while Mekseb Debesay finished at 49th place in the elite men individual time trial during the UCI’s World Road Championships in Richmond.

eritrean cyclists and supporters garner acclaMation

Dr. Abebe Kifleyesus, lecturer at the Adi-Keih College of Arts and Social Science, pointed out that Geez language is among the world’s ancient language that has international recognition.

The author, Mr. Henok Gebremicael, for his part dwelt on the innate attributes of Geez language; the richness of its vocabulary and grammar. “But it also faces and is on the verge of extinction”, the author stressed while expressing the hope that “the new books will have significant contribution in the revival of the language”.

book launch

The Anseba Branch of the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare has extended material and financial support to 160 needy students in Keren.

Mr. Fesahaye Araya, from the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, announced

assistance to students in kerenthat an estimated 80,000 Nacfa worth of school materials as well as additional financial assistance were distributed to students learning in primary and secondary schools.

The assistance is expected to remove material hurdles faced

by needy students and to enable them to compete on a level playing field with their better off peers, Mr. Araya noted. Mr. Araya further underlined that continued contributions by all concerned will remain essential to address problems of this nature.

2Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September , 2015

Published Every Saturday & Wednesday

Acting Editor Amanuel Mesfunamme@zena.gov.er

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:profile@zena.gov.er

Advertisement: 12-50-13

LayoutAzieb Habtemariam

Distinguished Co-Chairs; Excellencies,

The Government of the State of Eritrea welcomes the outcome document titled “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development”, and is pleased to join the community of nations in adopting it. Its goals and targets bode well with Eritrea’s Self Reliance Policy and Development Agenda. It clearly reflects Eritrea’s aspiration and commitment to eradicate poverty in all its forms and dimensions among our people.

Since Eritrea’s independence in 1991, the Government and people adopted a people-centered, inclusive, pro-poor and internally driven social, economic and political development agenda. As a result of the political commitment of the leadership and the people’s involvement, in spite of the hostile acts of some governments, extensive disinformation campaign and imposition of unjust sanctions as well as occupation of its sovereign territory, Eritrea has been able to register commendable results in almost all of the MDGs.

Distinguished Co-Chairs; Excellencies,

Eritrea’s achievement is commended by most of the UN agencies and development partners. Eritrea has achieved

Address by H.E. Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs during The

United Nations Summit for the Adoption of the Post-2015 Development Agenda

MDGs 4, 5 and 6, namely, Child Mortality, Maternal Mortality, and HIV/AIDS, Malaria and other Communicable Diseases early in 2013 – ahead of the target date.

Today, Eritrea is an oasis of peace in the vulnerable Horn of Africa and Red Sea Region.

• food security, infrastructural development, capacity building, as well asefficient and effective social services are its major activities.

• Under the motto “education for all’, education in Eritrea is universal and free from kindergarten to tertiary level.

• The agenda of empowerment of women is on track. Equal pay for equal job and the right to inheritance and own property is guaranteed by law. FGM is criminalized. The National Union of Eritrean Women,agrass root civil society organization with over 400,000membership, is active all over the country.

• Concerning environment, extensive and coordinated grass root afforestation and water conservation activities are taking place.

Distinguished Co-Chairs; Excellencies,

Eritrea once again welcomes the adoption of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. It will definitely consolidate Eritrea’s achievements concerning the MDGs. The SDGs appropriately emphasize the centrality of poverty eradication. Rest assured as it has done in the MDGs, the people and Government of Eritrea

land-feud settled peacefully An 80-year-old land related dispute between inhabitants of Guaqat

and Gedel villages was settled through community mediation on the 23rd of September. The agreement was signed by the elders and their respective representatives.

The Governor of the Southern Region, Mr. Efrem Gebrekristos, commended the laudable initiative taken by both sides to bring about a lasting solution of the dispute through mutual understanding and compromise. This can only augur well for collaborative efforts of the two communities in the period ahead, Mr. Efrem underlined.

Members of the Ministry of Land, Water and Environment, South-ern Region Branch as well as staff from the Dekemhare Subzone Administration attended the signing ceremony.

assistance to students in keren The Anseba Branch of the Ministry of Labour and Human Welfare

has extended material and financial support to 160 needy students in Keren.

Mr. Fesahaye Araya, from the Ministry of Labour and Social Wel-fare, announced that an estimated 80,000 Nacfa worth of school ma-terials as well as additional financial assistance were distributed to students learning in primary and secondary schools.

The assistance is expected to remove material hurdles faced by needy students and to enable them to compete on a level playing field with their better off peers, Mr. Araya noted. Mr. Araya further underlined that continued contributions by all concerned will remain essential to address problems of this nature.

new tigrinya – arabic dictionary published A Tigrinya-Arabic Dictionary by Engineer Habtesilasie Ghebretin-

sae was launced on 25 September in Asmara. The new dictionary, which is the first of its kind, has 566 pages and over 24,000 words.

The book received positive reviews. Many in the audience urged other scholars to follow suit to meet existing demand.

Eritrean female Athletes that scored victory in Congo Brazzaville receive incentives

Eritrean female Athletes who have scored impressive victory at the All-Africa Games 2015 have been given monetary incentives from Arag Metal and Woodwork Company on 25 September.

Ambassador Zemede Tekle, Commissioner of Culture and Sports said during the handing over ceremony held at Embasoira Hotel that the financial contribution by the company will play significantly in further nurturing future female athletes.

Manager of the company, Mr. Costantinos Negash on his part com-mended the female athletes for their impressive victory in Congo Brazzaville.

feMale athletes that scored victory in congo brazzaville receive incentives

Eritrean female Athletes who have scored impressive victory at the All-Africa Games 2015 have been given monetary incentives from Arag Metal and Woodwork Company on 25 September. Ambassador Zemede Tekle, Commissioner of Culture and Sports said during the handing over ceremony held at Embasoira Hotel that the financial contribution by the company will play significantly in further nurturing future female athletes. Manager of the company, Mr. Costantinos Negash on his part commended the female athletes for their impressive victory in Congo Brazzaville.

news brief

are determined to achieve the goals and targets pronounced in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by integrating them in all of their development policies and programs. Eritrea is also committed to promote investment and cooperation and engagement with its development partners.

In conclusion, Mr. President,

I heard speaker after speaker emphasizing the need for bringing about a transformative change all over the world, and pledged that “no one will be left behind”. Let all of us respect the letter and spirit of this noble pledge. It must be also underlined that there cannot be sustainable development without peace and there cannot be peace without sustainable development.

It is therefore high time for the United Nations and all of us to shoulder our responsibility and urge those countries who don’t respect international law and their treaty obligations to do so. No nation big or small should be allowed to occupy sovereign territory of another state.

Moreover, politically motivated and unjust sanctions would definitely have a negative implication on the social and economic welfare of the people, in particular women and children.They must be immediately and unconditionally lifted. Once again no nation or people should be left behind.

Thank you Mr. President

26 September 2015, New York

Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September, 2015 3

Mela Ghebremedhin

Mental disabilities such as Au-tism or Down’s syndrome are taboo topics that are not often discussed within Eritrean society. However, many within the country are work-ing diligently to raise public aware-ness about these types of disabili-ties and provide information about how to provide necessary care to those afflicted. Specifically, this is the work of the National Associa-tion of Intellectual/Developmental Disability of Eritrea (NAIDDE), formerly known as the National Association of Autism and Down Syndrome of Eritrea (NAADSE). Since our column focuses on de-velopment related issues, today I offer a glimpse into the work of the association, and discuss its ongo-ing efforts and challenges.

As I often pass by the NAIDDE office, one morning I decided to walk in and simply introduce my-self (as I usually do). I was warmly welcomed by the manager, Mr. As-sefaw Ghebru, who also provided an initial interesting introduction to the work of the organization. After our teatime we decided to make formal appointment with the presi-dent, and two days later, there I was, back at the association, meet-ing with Lt. Colonel Berhane Bo-crezion. He is a very eloquent man who is also the father of a child with one of the aforementioned mental disabilities.

Thanks to the usual Eritrean hos-

pitality, the interview was more of a shared discussion. Mental dis-orders are not frequently spoken about in Eritrea, and it can often be quite difficult to discuss them with-out encountering some backward judgments or misconceptions. Many individuals see themselves as having the answers to why one child was born with autism and the other was not, for instance. Thus, a key priority of the association is to challenge these types of ideas.

Indeed, the association was cre-ated to respond to the needs of par-ents who used to organize them-selves informally in small groups to discuss and help each other. In 2006, parents became increasingly organized and they were officially recognized as an association after the first congress held on the 24th November 2010. As an indepen-dent, non-profit, non-governmental organization (NGO), NAIDDE’s aims include safeguarding and ad-vocating for the rights and equal opportunities of individuals with mental disabilities. Although the association is still relatively young, it has already achieved a consider-able amount.

NAIDDE’s priorities are access to health care and education, as well as increasing the general public’s awareness about disabilities. The association’s specific work largely focuses on children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Child-hood Intellectual Disability (CID), Childhood Neurological Origin,

and other developmental disabili-ties. NAIDDE estimates there are between 30-40,000 children with these disabilities.

An important question that of-ten arises, often also representing an initial challenge for Eritrean parents, is how to diagnose a child with mental disability? Doctors make the diagnosis and assess-ment; subsequently, the association will provide training, guidelines, and membership to parents. None-theless, Berhane explained that, ideally, the diagnosis should not be carried out by doctors but by spe-cialists such as psychologists. Spe-cifically, the association believes that these are not diseases, but mental disabilities. As a result, the assessment is “simplistic”, seeing a parent only receive the information on whether or not their child has a mental disorder.

Accordingly, the association works as a sort of a lobby group to ensure the voices of parents are heard by the authorities, such as the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare. The latter extends financial support and provides facilities in terms of of-fice spaces and materials, while the Ministry of Education provides ac-cess to education nationwide. Cur-rently, there are nine schools with a total of 620 students enrolled. Im-portantly, access to education, de-spite being a right for all, requires that many factors are taken into ac-

count. Indeed, as Berhane stressed, “if I ask to give access to education to children in Mendefera, a child with cerebral palsy, for instance, she/he cannot sit down on the ordi-nary chair as any other pupils, plus the teacher, does he/she have the appropriate training?” These as-pects are important to recall, prior to giving access to school. How-ever, with parents organized as an association, they have managed to have their collective voice heard; new schools are expected to open for this academic year, including in Barentu, Tesseney and Ginda.

Additionally, as levels of societal awareness are growing, an increas-ing number of parents of children with disability have become un-ashamed of sending their children to school. For example, the Dahlak School in Asmara began with only 6 students with disability enrolled; however, this number grew to 57, only three years later. Enrollment and attendance ensures that these children receive an education, en-ables them to interact with others, and ultimately integrate with the community. Notably, the ques-tion of integration has long been a fundamental part of the awareness campaign organized by the asso-ciation.

Community awareness is a signif-icant topic of focus for NAIDDE. This takes us back to the initial point of discussion - cultural be-liefs. In Eritrea, the level of con-sciousness or awareness by the general public remains low, even among key stakeholders. Often, they are only able to explain differ-ent mental disabilities in simplistic, cursory ways. As a result, the asso-ciation organized two conferences on intellectual and developmental disability, within which members of the ministries mentioned earlier participated. These conferences are important platforms allowing the organization to promote and spread awareness to policy makers and specialists, as well as parents and local communities.

How does it work local level? Focusing on communities is a key priority for progress. Accordingly, the association organizes 6 days of training and education for parents in all 15 regions of the country. Beginning in March of 2015, the program has already expanded to reach more than 650 parents from Asmara, Asseb, Keren, and Baren-

tu (among other areas). “We want all parents from all corners of the country to have the same knowl-edge, awareness and appropriate training to ensure the continuity of our work and the well being of these children,” Berhane said con-fidently. These grassroots work-shops are, hence, illustrating a tre-mendous impact, as many parents that were not registered to attend eventually rushed to catch up dur-ing the middle of the training. Un-questionably, the training programs allow participants to speak freely, learn, and ultimately counteract many incorrect traditional beliefs, which often negatively affect par-ents and their children.

Which cultural beliefs undermin-ing the well being of those chil-dren with mental disability are we talking about? You have probably heard of - and may even believe - some of them. These regressive ideas can have destructive effects to the concerned family. Often, the blame is placed upon the mother. For instance, within the Kunama ethnic group, there is a belief that pregnant women should not cross a specific river for the benefit of the future child’s health. If a mother ends up giving birth to a child with a disability, she is then blamed for having crossed that river. In an-other example, especially preva-lent within the highlands, pregnant women are advised against go-ing out in public, staying among groups of people, or attending fu-nerals. The alleged reason is that the “evil eye” may harm the child. Thus, some man may say “I told my wife not to go to the funeral but she wouldn’t listen and this is what happened.” These ideas can have dreadful consequences, as Assefaw and Berhane explained to me, “we witness many divorces and sepa-rations when a child is diagnosed with a mental disability. Women are left alone and marginalized.” Moreover, some even believe that because of wrongdoings or lies by the grandfather, a “mergem” (curse) is passed on to this gen-eration. There is no limit to these cultural convictions, as some may believe that it is within the family’s lineage. Subsequently, even a sister may have difficulties finding a hus-band. Unfortunately, due to these backward ideologies, many chil-dren are hidden inside the house,

NAIDDE Striving Against Cultural Beliefs…

continued on page 7

Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September, 2015 4

Could the new form of arranged marriages be the way forward for Eritreans in the Diaspora who complain that there are no decent Eritrean guys or girls around?

We are not talking about arranged marriages in the traditional sense where the couple’s respective parents choose their spouse for them and the individuals do not have a say in who they marry. The form of arranged marriage discussed here is the modern version, where family or friends will suggest someone they think will be a good match for their loved one and initiate some contact between them. This new form of arranged marriage, which in recent years has seen a rise in western countries such as the USA and the UK, has been labelled “assisted marriage”, as it involves family/friends giving a helping hand, rather than arranging the whole thing.

In the past, arranged marriages were commonplace in Eritrea. Young girls were betrothed to the son of a family thought to be suitable and were often married as teenagers. They rarely had a say in choosing their partner, and often did not get a chance to get to know their husband until after the wedding day. The idea being that the couple would fall in love after they begin their life together (often after having children).

This is what springs to mind when a lot of people think of arranged marriages. Many argue that the practice is oppressive, as it involves too much input from others and too clinical, as it takes away the magic of finding

someone special. In the modern world, people have the “privilege” of looking for their own partner – but, as we know, this method does not always work.

“Assisted marriage” differs from traditional arranged marriage in that those who find the potential partner merely initiate an introduction; the rest is up to the two individuals. This means less pressure on the individuals, as the introduction does not necessarily have to lead to

marriage (this method could also be called “assisted relationships”). The people who know your likes/dislikes, interests and lifestyle simply act as matchmakers.

For people who miss out on talking to people they like due to shyness the usual apprehension of “how will she/he react if I approach them?” can be put aside. Both people know what the situation is and can just concentrate on getting to know each other.

From the point of view of the Eritrean Diaspora, this approach could be especially useful for Eritreans looking for an Eritrean partner who just don’t meet each other in everyday life due to a busy lifestyle, demanding career or lack of a social network. As you get

older, there are fewer opportunities to “bump into” the love of your life (for those of you who believe in “love at first sight”) or your future partner. How many of your friends complain about the lack of decent guys or girls around?

Where do you meet Eritreans? Most people say ‘Bahlis’/Parties. Are these even places where it’s realistic to meet a potential partner? Loud music, dancing and crowds are distractions and you

don’t usually get the chance to talk for long enough to get to know the object of your affections (if indeed, you find one!).

Eritreans in the Diaspora agree that there are very few occasions/events where you can mix and get to know each other in a more relaxed and natural way. So, the idea of “assisted marriages” seems to be even more appealing in this context.

Arguments against these types of introductions tend to centre on the involvement of others and the idea that it’s better to “just let things happen”. The reality is that it doesn’t usually just happen; there is already a degree of arrangement taking place. If you are ready to find a partner, you will usually try to go to places where you might find someone eligible, you will dress a certain way and try to make yourself available to making new contacts and encountering someone special.

There is really little difference with assisted marriages; the main difference being that the encounter, which may lead to a relationship, is pre-arranged in some way.

There is an even greater degree of arrangement involved if you are

an Eritrean looking for an Eritrean (given that the probability of finding a single Eritrean in your local area is probably less than you becoming a nuclear scientist overnight – ok, that is an exaggeration, but it can appear that way!).

The process of “assisted marriages” can be a short cut to creating encounters with potential partners. Put another way, they provide a way of creating more opportunities to make what you want happen. Sounds like common sense so far. So what could be wrong with it?

When we are ready to settle down, we are all looking, but don’t want to appear desperate. The prevailing idea in the west is that love just happens. Popular culture tells us that your eyes meet, there is a spark and you fall in love. There is a tendency for Eritreans in the Diaspora to want to appear as though they are not trying too hard to find someone and to be embarrassed by people thinking that they are in fact looking, or (even worse) need help!

A friend of mine (who would like to remain nameless) told me that she was recently approached by an older family member with the ‘stats’ of a suitable young man, and asked whether she’d like to meet him. Her reaction? She was horrified. She wasn’t THAT desperate – she didn’t need help.

She CERTAINLY didn’t need help from her family; having them involved was far too embarrassing. Upon reflection, however, she thought that she was perhaps too caught up in the idea of traditional arranged marriage, and had possibly overreacted.

Her situation illustrates a stigma that is felt by a lot of young Eritreans in the Diaspora. Attempting to detach ourselves from our parents appears to continue beyond our teenage years, and is perhaps complicated by the conflict of how we feel we are supposed to meet our future life-partner. Our peers may meet their husbands/wives in the supermarket, at work, school, and clubs and so on. But if you are an Eritrean looking for an Eritrean

partner, things, as we know, are not that simple…

Those Eritreans living in the Diaspora, who have decided that they want an Eritrean partner, are effectively placing limits on themselves. You will often have heard both non-Eritreans and Eritreans saying, “You come from a small country, with an even smaller population abroad, what are your chances of finding someone? You’re wasting your time” or “What if you miss the love of your life in London/San Diego/Stockholm/Frankfurt because you’re holding out for an Eritrean?” I’ve heard several young Eritrean women in their twenties and thirties saying that they can’t hold out forever as they would like to settle down at a certain time and are worried that they won’t find an Eritrean partner.

For those who say they would like an Eritrean partner and say, “I can’t find anyone!” have you really tried?

I know a young woman who constantly complains of not being able to find a suitable Eritrean man. The truth is that she doesn’t meet any in her everyday life and she doesn’t really make an effort to go out of her way to meet them.

This is where “Assisted Marriages” could play a part. If you haven’t tried EVERYTHING, and that includes the possibility of an assisted marriage, can you really say that you have? You may have tried bars, parties, “bahlis”, perhaps even Internet dating, so why not give this a go?

Mahta Tewolde W.Kidan

Marriage: Assisted Is The New ArrangedNowadays more than ever, Eritreans in the Diaspora are coming to the homeland to look for and/or meet their significant other. Raising the subject in last week’s edition, Mellu

wondered if that could really work. In today’s issue, Mahta Tewolde, also from the Diaspora, takes a step back and tries to delve into the whole affair of the “arranged marriage” and how it could become a way out…

Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September, 2015 5

By: Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion

Recently I visited a small farming establishment in Asmara. The farm produces a broad range of different fruits and vegetables (e.g. potatoes, strawberries, etc.), and it also houses a variety of animals (e.g. pigs, chickens, etc.). Instead of industrial or corporate production of non-indigenous cash crops for export, everything produced on the farm is for domestic consumption, either within the local and nearby surrounding communities or on the markets of Eritrea. The farm was originally developed through the support of the Eritrean government and a foreign partner. However, it is now locally-led, owned, and staffed, and it has largely become self-sustaining.

Obviously, this is not the typical prototype of all small and/or large scale enterprises in Eritrea. The extractive industries, for instance, remain dominated by foreign companies. The mining agreement has provisions for public-private partnership but it also envisions 90% private ownership in cases where public interest is not best served by government exercise of its additional 30% option of purchasing shares at the production phase. Other lucrative sectors in Eritrea’s economy are also open to foreign/private direct investment without equity restrictions. Still, government involvement in strategic sectors of economic growth, infrastructural projects and social services continues to be significant. The government also pursues interventionist policies to support small-scale private enterprises through various instruments.

This policy mix offers a useful glimpse, in my view, into Eritrea’s larger socio-economic framework that is anchored on sustainable solutions that eschew perpetual and debilitating foreign aid, dependency, neoliberalism, and exploitative Washington Consensus style developmental approaches. Moreover, it presents a simple, yet tangible, example of viable alternatives to recent decades of socio-economic prescriptions and directives by international analysts, experts, and global financial and development institutions. In this context, mainstream descriptions and cursory analyses of Eritrea as isolationist seem misplaced and simplistic. Instead, Eritrea’s focus on industriousness, social justice,

and state support for domestic industries, communities, and local businesses, represents a refreshing – and potentially long term successful – approach for socio-economic development.

The second half of the 20th century witnessed many African states transition to independence, either through armed struggle or decolonization. At independence, these states lagged far behind the majority of the world in terms of socio-economic development and industrialization (Englebert 2000), and accordingly, a paramount objective was the pursuit of development, sustainable growth, and equality on the international stage (Losch 1990). After a period of failed attempts at development and growth via several socio-economic policy frameworks, many African states began to intensify their relations with international financial institutions (IFIs), such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB), thus “opening up” to global markets and ushering in a period of neoliberalism.

Based largely on the precepts of free market capitalism, neoliberalism increased in popularity and influence in the late 1970s, at the conclusion of the Marshall Plan era. Its appearance and influence on economic policies is most commonly associated with the government policies of Margaret Thatcher in the UK and Ronald Reagan in the US (Peck and Tickell 1994). Specifically, the 1980s saw the ascendant New Right governments of Thatcher and Reagan proceed with systematic and comprehensive policies of fiscal retrenchment, financial and labor market deregulation, and the evaporation of the Keynesian assumptions that were so central for postwar economic and social policy (King and Wood 1999). Another catalyst for neoliberalism was the New International Economic Order (NIEO) and its persistent calls for equal relationships in the global economy, which strengthened the resolve of developing countries. On the other hand, the NIEO also served to prompt moves by developed countries to return developing countries “back into their places” (Chang 2011).

Neoliberalism (roughly understandable as an umbrella under which the Washington Consensus falls) proposes that

human well being can best be achieved through liberating individual entrepreneurial freedoms and skills within an institutional framework characterized by strong private property rights, market deregulation and free trade (Campbell and Pedersen 2001). States are to liberalize their trade and foreign investment, privatize their state-owned enterprises (SOEs), strengthen protection for patents and intellectual property rights, and implement conservative macroeconomic policies, such as high interest rates and balanced budgets (Chang 2011).

As well, the role of the state is relegated to guaranteeing the quality and integrity of money, organizing military, defense, police and legal structures and accomplishing those functions required to secure private property rights, and guaranteeing, by force if need be, the proper functioning of markets. Where some economic frameworks see the state institute social programs such as education and healthcare, neoliberalism leaves these areas strictly to the free market, thus seeing those vital services delivered by private providers (Hahn 2008). Furthermore, if markets do not exist, for example, in areas such as land, water, social security, or environmental pollution, then they must be created, by state action if necessary (Harvey 2005).

Neoliberalism within the African development context emerged as an externally-directed attempt to remove the large-scale dirigisme and involvement of the state from the economy. The Washington Consensus (coined by John Williamson in 1989) employed many features and principles that were inextricably linked to neoliberalism. As a set of policy recommendations, the Washington Consensus offered economic policy prescriptions that were considered the standard reform package for developing countries, with its main advocates and staunchest defenders being the IMF and the WB. Specific policy recommendations within the Washington Consensus include macroeconomic stability, “getting prices right,” liberalization of markets to trade and investment, tax reform, and basically less overall state involvement (Naim 2000).

As neoliberal policies progressively strengthened within the U.S. and other developed

countries, IFIs, which were highly influenced or directed by many western and now-developed countries (NDCs), increasingly began to encourage neoliberal policies. Through aid and loans, the IMF and WB endorsed neoliberal principles unto developing countries by using conditional clauses and stipulations (Kimanuka 2009). The WB and IMF also sponsored structural adjustment programmes (SAPs) for African states and by 1989, 84 structural adjustment loans had been agreed to between the WB and various African states (Harrison 2005).

The 1980s and early 1990s wave of neoliberalism that spread across the developing states of Africa meant that many African countries underwent long periods of structural adjustment (Hanson and Hentz 1999). SAPs, as prescribed by IFIs, sought to “correct” the misguided African socio-economic development policies of the previous two decades. They called for many reforms to change sub-Saharan Africa’s socio-economic policies and presented new trade liberalization programs for improving domestic production and external trade (Kimanuka 2009; Kirkpatrick 1995). The SAPs and proposed reforms were persistently promoted as being the catalysts necessary for long-term growth and improvement, and they primarily focused their attention on securing macroeconomic stabilization (UN ESC 2011). Specifically, the SAPs called for African countries to:

“[d]rastically reduce •trade barriers protecting the local economy from foreign competition,

[d]eeply reduce or •eliminate subsidies and price controls, which were seen as

distortions of internal prices for a number of goods and services,

[r]estructure the financial •system and weaken or remove controls on the movement of capital,

[e]liminate controls on •private foreign investment, [and]

[r]educe the role of the •state, not only in the economy, but also in the provision of social services” (Kimanuka 2009: 3).

Quickly and aggressively, the SAPs weakened the direct control of African states while attempting to promote growth-oriented market economies. However, African states actually began to suffer as a result of policies calling for the reduction of subsidies on food, medicine and education and eliminating social institutions, government programs, currency exchange control, and SOEs. The level of decline and deep economic crises during the 1980s and 1990s within sub-Saharan Africa caused observers to refer to the period as two “lost decades” (Stone 2004).The international economic environment was increasingly hostile, particularly with declining terms of trade leading to heavy servicing of debts (Kimanuka 2009; Kirkpatrick 1995). For example, Africa’s debt crisis actually worsened from the period 1980 to 2000; sub-Saharan Africa’s total foreign debt rose from US$60 billion to US$206 billion, and the ratio of debt to GDP rose from 23 per cent to 66 per cent. In 1980, loan inflows of US$9.6 billion were comfortably higher than the debt repayment outflow of US$3.2 billion. But by 2000, only US$3.2 billion flowed in while US$9.8 billion was repaid, leaving a net

Neoliberalism and African Development

6Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September , 2015

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTBisha Mining Share Company is inviting applicants for the following position for Bisha

site project;

Control1. Room Supervisor (01) Definite Period: 02 Year

Duties and responsibilitiesFollow and maintain all safety standards and procedures for both equipment and •

human assets.Monitor all activities displayed on the SCADA and provide information to the •

area operators and Operations Supervisor.Report all Equipment defects on the log sheet, keep control of log sheet, down •

time log sheet and defect log sheet updated and report to the Operations Supervisor any defects.

Adjust and correct plant parameters according to set points.•Ensure and supervise all sections of the plant and make sure all KPIs are being •

achieved.Provide effective communication with operations, supervisors, service •

departments and plant management.Remain alert and react to plant conditions before they become critical.•Train and transfer skills to National control room operators and plant operators.•Ensure that all process control loops are operational and always in auto mode as •

opposed to manual. Also ensure that no control loops or interlocks are bypassed without the authorization of plant Manager and Engineer.

Formal Education, Certifications or Equivalents

Completed higher •education is advantageous but not mandatory. Must be computer literate and possess control room operational skills. Any process Control and control room certification will be advantageous.

Working Experience – Nature & Length

Minimum 5 years’ •experience as a control Room Operator and process plant operator

Leadership Experience – Nature & length of time

N/A•

Other skills and abilities

Must maintain high •level of attention to details and be informative with the relative personnel. Excellent communication skills both written and oral, including English.

Profile: Qualifications and Experience

Operations2. Supervisor (01) Definite Period: 02 Year

Duties and responsibilities

Responsible for the safety and health of all subordinates by ensuring everyone is • working in accordance to the safety and environmental policies and procedures.

Attends and contributes to pre- shift meetings with plant staff to ensure a competent • shift transition.

Supervisors and plans shift production. Responds to the changing environment in a • proactive manner, using available resources.

Maintains reporting procedures with supervisors, peers and subordinates on Safety, • Production, Maintenance, HR and Security issues.

Maintains communication and reports and defective conditions to the maintenance • department.

Conducts on-the job training with subordinates while identifying development • requirements.

Reports any concerns to senior management which reflects the process plant • efficiency.

Knowledge and Skills

Formal Education, Certifications or Equivalents

High •school certificate or equivalent

Working Experience – Nature & Length

Minimum •of 4 years of experience in a process supervisory role and a minimum of 4 years’ experience as a plant operator in a copper or zinc processing plant

Leadership Experience – Nature & length of time

Must •demonstrate excellent supervisory and mentoring skills

Other skills and abilities

Self-•motivated and results oriented.

MUST have •demonstrated a thorough knowledge and experience working in a base metals especially flotation

General Information and other requirements:

Place of Work• : Bisha.Salary: • As per Company salary scale.

Additional requirement for Nationals: Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and provide evidence of release paper •

from the Ministry of Defense. Present clearance paper from current/last employer.•Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience credentials, a copy of your •

National identity Card etc.)Only shortlisted applicants would be considered as potential candidates for an interview.•Application documents will not be returned to sender.•All applications should be sent through the post office.•Deadline for application: 10 days from the day of publication in the Newspaper•

Address: Please mail your applications to; Bisha Mining Share Company P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, Eritrea

Note to Eritrean applicants: Please send a copy of your application to Aliens Employment Permit Affairs, P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea

ADS

7Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September , 2015

AZEL PHARMACEUTICAL SH. CO.

Vacancy Announcement

Azel Pharmaceutical Share Co. is looking for qualified applicants to fill the following vacant posts.

S.No. Post Title N u m b e r Required Educational Background Work Experience Special Skills Duty Station

1 Store Keeper 01

D e g r e e / D i p l o m a - in Materials/Logistics Management or related fields

Pharmacy technician-

At least two years of relevant work experience

Inventory control and record - keeping

Well versed in computer MS - office application

Keren

2 Purchasing and receiving clerk 01

Diploma/Certificate in materials/logistics

Management, stock control or related fields

At least one year of relevant work if diploma, and four years of work experience if certificate

Record keeping and - inventory control procedures

Well versed in computer MS - office applications with emphasis on Excel.

Keren

3 Store Clerk 01 12th grade and above One year of experience as store clerk

Well versed in MS Office applications with emphasis on Excel Keren

4 Plumber 01Diploma or certificate in

plumbingOne year relevant work

experience, preferably in a company setting

Able to read and understand blueprints Keren

Note to Applicants:All applicants must have proof of demobilization or exemption from the National Service.- Salary for all positions is as per Azel Pharma’s salary scale.-

Interested applicants should submit their applications including resume and copies of supporting documents within 10 days from the date of publication in the newspaper to one of the following addresses.

Azel Pharmaceutical Sh. Co. P.O. Box 6799 Asmara OR Azel Pharmaceutical Sh. Co. P.O. Box 89, Keren.

For further information, inquiries could be made through the following telephone numbers:121991/115552 Asmara OR 400234/401991, Keren.-

STATE OF ERITREA NATIONAL AGRICULTURE

PROGRAMME (NAP) RETENDER

INVITATION FOR BID(IFB)

TENDER: No.06.2/02/FP/NCB/NAP/IFAD/GRANT/DSF-8107-ER/AED/YT/2015

The State of Eritrea SOE has received a Loan and a Grant from International Fund 1. for Agricultural Development (IFAD) towards the cost of National Agricultural Project (NAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds towards payment under the contract for the supply of :-HYBRID MAIZE Varieties 1.Bio 22027 2.PEHM-2 3.XINYU No. 36

Eligible Bidders should bid for complete Varieties.2. A complete set of Bidding documents may be be purchased by 3.

any interested bidder upon payment of non-refundable fee of 200 NKF local currency or equivalent in foreign currency (USD) from the address below:- Procurement and Supplies Management Unit ,Sawa Street P.O.Box:1048, Tel:00291-1-181076/7, Fax:00291-1-181415

Bid shall be valid for a period of 90 days after bid opening, and must be accompanied 4. by Bid Security of 2% of the total bid price, and shall be delivered to Procurement and Supplies Management Unit on or before 13 October ,2015 hours 14:30 pm and will be opened on the same date at hours 15:00 pm in the presence of the Bidders who wish to attend.

The Ministry of Agriculture reserves the right to accept or to reject this Bid fully or in part if it finds any option better than this IFB without needing to justify the grounds for its doing so and without any compensation which the bidder may incurred in preparing its bid.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE

ADS

NAIDDE Striving ...continued from page 3

given neither care nor rights, while desperate parents will travel all around the country to find traditional healers, thus resulting in the loss of all their savings or living with debts. Therefore, the community assumes an im-portant role in shaping these ideas, and the association is multiplying its efforts to reach all segments of society by offering training, public awareness campaigns and support. Of course, progress can be witnessed with-in society thanks to multiple TV programs on this matter, a growing educated society, and shedding of harmful stigmas (especially within urban areas).

The organization continues its work against stigma and discrimination throughout the country by expanding existent support and training initiatives. It is commendable to see the resilience of parents working on a vol-untary basis, while other volunteers devote their free time to support the association. These efforts illustrate commitment and the idea of “haliot” (empathy), which makes Eri-trean society beautiful. The association wel-comes new members through a three types of membership (full, associate and honorary) for a 5 Nafka monthly payment. As a non-profit, NAIDDE depends on its members, the financial support by the Ministry of Labor and Human Welfare, and also private fund-ing (mainly from the diaspora). In upcoming years, the association is striving for more

adequate diagnosis and assessment systems to be implemented, and increasing the avail-ability of educational opportunities, such as vocational or arts training, recreational activities, and speech therapy. Last, an im-portant point concerns access to health care. NAIDDE highlights that due to frequent ill-ness in children with mental disability, par-ents often bear a heavy burden in terms of time and finance. Therefore, offering a type of “priority” card and free access to health care nationwide could be a viable and useful strategy moving forward.

“Raising consciousness for equal opportu-nity” is the vision NAIDDE is striving for.

For contact or donation:National Association of Intel lectual/De-

velopmental Disability of EritreaPhone number: 111668Email address: naidde@gmail.com

Eritrea Profile, Wednesday, 30 September, 2015 8

Let’s talk about your child hood first.

I grew up in Asmara. I was a very quiet and silent kid but very active at school. I hated the disappointments of scoring low marks at my studies so I was really obsessed and stressed about studying. I was a member of the volleyball team at school. I actually loved this sport so I played until high school before totally dropping it off.

Why did you?

Well, I started my acting career right after high school, so I shifted my concentration from sports to acting. That was after a lot of hesitation, because I was 50/50 for so long: I loved acting but I worked hard my whole life as a student. But I made up my mind and decided to pursue acting, promising myself that if I got disappointed with acting in any way, I would jump right back to my studies. But as you can see it has been more than ten years now and am still in the business. It seems like I never was let down by acting or the people I work with or the conditions around.

How exactly did you become an actress?

I had no intention of becoming one, as I told you before I wanted to continue my studies and keep on my sport activities. But one day, this man came to me and took a long look at me and politely asked me if I would be interested to star in one of his movies because apparently, he thought I fitted one of his movie’s characters. Clearly it was a very surprising experience, mainly because I had no idea who Mr. Fisahaye Lemlem was or what he did or what he was talking about. He later gave me his address and asked me to contact him.

And you did!

Yes, shortly after, but without any intentions of taking the offer. I just wanted to see if I was

being conned or not. I went to the filming site and I fell in love there and then with moviemaking. The crew, were immersed in their work and I felt like I had some kind of a connection. Soon after I accepted the offer and signed the contract with Mr. Fisahaye Lemlem and debuted in his movie (Feremeley). The film was a tragic romance that brought tears to the eyes of a vast number of spectators. It was a big hit and I was lucky because people instantly noticed me. I had a grandiose debut thanks to Fisahaye Lemlem. I started getting many offers from many directors and film makers. Those were real good and busy times. Sometimes I found myself turning down some offers because I had a packed schedule.

You kicked off your career at the side of some of the most loved actors, right?

True! How lucky was I?! I was the only one with no experience whatsoever among the cast. So I was a bit frightened but I was encouraged by my colleagues and that boosted my confidence, which helped me later on in my career.

Being young and successful, did you ever experience any nervousness, confusion or discouragement during the early stages of your career?

Of course I did. Mistakes are supposed to happen as you take your first steps. I have faced situations where I witnessed myself failing but if we look at the bigger picture, compared to the maturity I gained throughout the years of my career, I think of them as just minor slip-ups that helped me grow.

I mean it is quite impossible to avoid situations where you feel little or less appreciated, or where you don’t get along with a co-actor, or where your nerves take the best of you, or where you can’t simply avoid an angry director and so on… But even acting is career where there is a boss that gives you orders and yells at you, a big number of spectators expecting you to meet their expectations.

And you really don’t want to let them down.

So yes, it is indeed filled with moments that make you want to scream but it is actually better that way: roughness makes one an even tougher person. And at the end of the work you get to be the happiest for fulfilling your job right.

And while we’re on the subject, If I may, I would like to seize this opportunity and thank dearly all of the people who literally had my back in the acting ground: all of the actors, directors and movie makers that I worked with really helped me become a matured actress.

Have you ever thought of quitting?

So far I haven’t. God forbid! I don’t want to be “the quitter”.

What can you tell us about the countless commercials you have been part of?

“Roughness on the Job Makes One an Even Tougher Person” Mereb Estifanos

Our guest today is renowned and widely acclaimed actress Mereb Estifanos. Born in 1983, Mereb has to date participated in 75 big and small film productions, gaining the fame that every actor dreams of and a large fan base across different generations.

financial flows deficit of US$6.2 billion (Bond 2005). Hence, Africa was (and is) repaying more than it receives, or using its loans to pay-off its debts.

Further evidence against the viability of the neoliberal socio-economic development framework for sub-Saharan Africa is that, during the neoliberal era, income inequality among Africans widened, social turmoil rose, unemployment reached its peak, social services became unaffordable for women, children, the elderly, and the poor, and the state regressed towards deterioration. The rigorous IMF restructuring and recommendation plans essentially saw a dramatic decline in Africa’s standards of living, terms of trade and ability to service debts (Bond and Dor 2003).

The utter failure of SAPs was effectively confirmed when the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) claimed that those African countries that had rejected SAPs had actually done “better” than those that had accepted aid or prescriptions in social welfare development (UN SAP 1989). In addition, the adoption of the neoliberal prescriptions within SAPs has been linked to severe

continued from page 5CROSSWORDAnswers to puzzle from

September 26th 2015

General Eritrean Culture and Trivia

DOWNED

KHOMEINI 1.

BOON 2.

HATSHEPSUT3.

NAOD 4.

ADI KEIYH 5.

COPTIC 6.

GELATO 7.

GRAGN 8.

ACROSS

4. HAMLI 6. ATO 10. PUSHKIN 11. CAMEROON 12. PYGMOID 13. ONE 14. EID 15. SHIDA 16. NARA 17. MEHRET 18. HAO

economic distress in Zambia and South Africa (Hanson and Hentz 1999), while in Neoliberal Africa: The Impact of Global Social Engineering (2010), Harrison finds that, despite the gargantuan size of resources behind it and the lack of policy alternatives, neoliberalism and its policy prescription have not offered Africa tangible socio-economic or developmental progress (Harrison 2010).

Overall, recent decades have seen a range of socio-economic prescriptions and directives by international analysts, experts, and global financial and development institutions. However, instead of achieving sustainable socio-economic growth and positive development outcomes, many African states, following neoliberal, Washington Consensus based policies, experienced stagnation or regression, accrued large debts, and fell into cycles of debilitating dependency. Within this context, Eritrea’s socio-economic development approach based on sustainability, social justice, support and protection for individuals and communities, locally led and implemented solutions, avoidance of structural and perpetual dependence on foreign aid, and harsh neoliberal programmes, may offer a viable, effective alternative.

Neoliberalism ...

I started doing TV commercials very later on. But honestly I actually like being on commercials for two main reasons. First it is a form of promotion especially if I am currently active in a movie, processing it helps me promote my image in the film that I am working on. Secondly, when I am not doing any films I use it as a way of connecting with my fans and the people and remind them that I am not gone.

People will never stop thinking about their favorite actress. Any future plans?

With whatever I do, I am most certain I will do my best not to let my audience down.