Eritrea

Walta Awards, cultural and arts competitions organized by the Ministry of Defense ended at Cinema Roma in Asmara with the victory of Egri-Mekel troupe from the Central Command, it covered dance, music, theater, directing, painting and narrative

As the 34th year since independence comes to a close, Eritrea stands as a nation defined by contradiction, local press reports: pride for its resilience and hard‑won fragile unity, and sorrow for opportunities lost and lives constrained in mere survival

Eritrea announced its withdrawal from the Intergovernmental Authority on Development IGAD, a regional body in the Horn of Africa focused on peace, security and economic integration, citing the fact that the body is acting against interests of some members

Eritrea has engaged in a cycle of escalating rhetoric with Ethiopia that experts say could lead to bringing once again war in the Horn of Africa, though conflict would carry major risks on both sides and outcomes ‘very difficult to predict’, analysts say

President Isaias Afwerki attended the inauguration ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, while meeting with President el-Sisi he discussed consolidation of bilateral ties and regional issues like Sudan, Somalia and the security of the Red Sea

A training was offered to 50 youth with a keen interest in the arts, on the concepts of drama, dance, and poetry in the port city of Massawa, organized by the Department of Culture and Sports in the Northern Red Sea Region

A seminar on integrated organic agricultural practices brought together experts and academics to share findings and discuss innovative solutions as part of Ministry efforts to ensure “Safe and Nutritious Food for Everyone, Everywhere!”

An assessment on education for the 2024-2025 school year has been held in Asmara; teachers and stakeholders confirmed the progress registered by the data collected and he head of the education zone called for a school that also teaches justice

Pharmaceutical and Medical Supplies Corporation of Eritrea reported that the corporation is working to meet the medicine and medical equipment needs of health facilities; til June 2025, medicines and equipment for $8m were imported, 2,8 locally produced

President Isaias Afwerki on state TV blamed Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, for pushing to control Eritrea’s key port of Assab, pursuing expansionism along the Red Sea and Indian Ocean and destabilizing the whole region

The UN Human Rights Council has rejected Eritrea’s bid to shut down an independent investigation into alleged rights abuses, a move hailed as vital to preventing impunity, with 25 votes against, 18 abstentions and 4 votes in favour

Patriotic zeal across Eritrea reportedly saluted the celebrations of Independence Day 2025 under the theme “Our Cohesion—Our Armour”; programs featured public gatherings, cultural or artistic performances, children’s events, military parades, seminars

Eritrea underlined it had deliberately ensured that foreign assistance aligned with national priorities rather than with donor priorities, keeping a better control over its development agenda notwithstanding a global funding crisis