The Other Side of Eritrea

This episode explores Shiro , a significant Eritrean dish, highlighting its cultural importance , nutritional value , and traditional preparation methods . It explains how the dish, primarily made from chickpea flour combined with various spices, offers substantial health benefits due to its rich ingredients like ginger, garlic, and fenugreek. The author emphasizes the central role of women in its...

This episode is based on Eri-TV program , titled "Eritrea's Sustainable development - Empowering generations, Transforming Lives - ERi-TV", details Eritrea's significant strides in sustainable development since its independence in 1991. The video highlights the nation's self-reliance and social cohesion as guiding principles, showcased through improvements in water access via...

This is based on the statement delivered by Mr. Habtom Zerai, Chargé d’affaires at the Permanent Mission of Eritrea to the United Nations , during an interactive dialogue on human rights. In his address, Mr. Zerai criticizes the Special Rapporteur's report on Eritrea , asserting it lacks objectivity and relies on unverified, biased sources, contradicting reports from UN agencies operating with...

This is based on a statement delivered by Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam of Eritrea to the United Nations General Assembly on June 16, 2025. Speaking on behalf of the Group of Friends in Defense of the Charter of the United Nations , she introduces draft resolution A/79/L.93 , proposing an "International Day against Unilateral Coercive Measures" to be observed annually on December 4th. The ambassad...

This episode discusses a significant dialogue session convened by the Ministry of Justice concerning "Justice, Development, and Geopolitics of the Horn." This event aimed to integrate Eritrean core social values into its legal framework while addressing the complex geopolitical dynamics of the Horn of Africa to promote peace and sustainable development. Experts like Professor Fawaz Gerge...

This episode is takenf from an interview with Larmbert Ebitu , a political affairs analyst specializing in African geopolitics. He discusses his participation in the ICES 2025 conference, highlighting the importance of international platforms for sharing diverse experiences and ideas. Ebitu elaborates on his presentation, "Emerging Geopolitical Alliances: Whither Africa?", which critique...

This episode, part 3 and final details a pivotal phase of the Eritrean struggle for liberation, focusing on the "Red Star Campaign" launched by the Derg regime, advised by Soviet generals. The text explains how the Derg spent two and a half years preparing for this massive offensive, which involved 120,000 well-equipped soldiers and aimed to decisively defeat the Eritrean revolution. Des...

This episode of the, "North Eastern Sahel Front From birth to demise Part 2," recounts the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF)'s defensive strategies and counter-offensives against enemy forces during 1979. It details the EPLF's tactical withdrawals and establishment of new defensive lines , such as the critical North-Eastern Sahel Front, to protect essential resources...

This episode of the, "North eastern Sahel Front From birth to demise Part I," offers a historical account of the Eritrean armed struggle for independence against the Ethiopian government, particularly during the late 1970s. It details how the Ethiopian army, weakened by a loss of Western support , eventually received massive military aid from the Soviet Union , leading to a significant p...

This episode "March in Eritrea's History," details significant military victories and challenges faced by Eritrea throughout its struggle for independence and sovereignty , particularly focusing on events that occurred in the month of March. It highlights key turning points such as the liberation of Nakfa in 1977 and the decisive Battle of Af’abet in 1988 , which significantly shifte...

This part 4 and final episode describes a series of political and military struggles between the EPLF (Eritrean People's Liberation Front) and the Dergue (Ethiopian military junta) , mediated by East German authorities . Initially, the discussions in Berlin aimed to find a peaceful resolution, but the Dergue consistently failed to present new proposals and instead focused on propaganda and threats...

This epiesode of "The Anti-colonial Political and Military Struggle Part III," sourced from Shabait, offers a historical account of the Eritrean People's Liberation Army (EPLA) and their conflict with the Dergue regime in Ethiopia, particularly focusing on the period from 1983 to 1986. It details various military offensives launched by the Dergue, such as the "Stealth" offe...

This episode of, "The anti-colonial political and military struggle Part II," chronicles the Eritrean People's Liberation Front's (EPLF) fight against the Dergue regime . It highlights how both Haile Selassie and the Dergue sought foreign aid to maintain their empire , with the Dergue eventually aligning with the Soviet Union after the US hesitated. This Soviet intervention signi...

This episode, "The anti-colonial political and military struggle," offers a critical analysis of the Ethiopian colonial regimes , specifically focusing on the Haile Selassie and Dergue eras . It argues that both regimes, despite superficial differences, were driven by expansionist ambitions and sought to suppress the national rights of various peoples , particularly the Eritreans. The so...

This is episode from Shabait is an overview of the significance of Nakfa in the Eritrean struggle for independence. It highlights how the trenches around Nakfa served as an impenetrable defense against the Derge regime's forces, even in the face of overwhelming odds. The article explains the unique names given to these trenches , such as Rigole, Volleyball, and Fernello, illustrating the extre...

This episode from Shabait explores the profound significance of Nakfa to the Eritrean people, emphasizing its role as a symbol of resistance, perseverance, and the birthplace of Eritrean independence . It details how Nakfa served as a strategic stronghold for the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) from 1977 until the nation's liberation, highlighting the ingenious construction of de...

This article discusses a pivotal moment in the Eritrean revolution in mid-1978, focusing on the strategic withdrawal of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) . Faced with an overwhelming offensive by Ethiopia's Derg regime , which possessed superior numbers and weaponry, the EPLF and Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) were severely outmatched. The text details the Derg's vast mili...

"The Hum Across Town" recounts the liberation of Asmara, Eritrea , from Ethiopian control, told through the eyes of a young boy. The narrative details the tense atmosphere in the city leading up to the liberation, marked by distant artillery fire, scarcity of resources due to a siege, and widespread civilian displacement. It captures the anxiety and uncertainty among residents as the bat...

This episode from shabait by Bana Negusse, "A Tapestry of Triumph: A Celebration of Independence, Equality, and Inclusion," describes Eritrea's recent independence celebrations, highlighting the nation's commitment to unity in diversity. It explains how these festivities showcased the country's rich variety of people, religions, and ethnic groups, emphasizing the importance o...

This episode from Zantana by Azentawi describes a highly successful EPLF commando operation in 1984 at the Asmara Air Force Base, known as "The 18 Minute Wonder." This meticulously planned raid involved extensive intelligence gathering from both civilian and military sources, utilizing detailed reconnaissance and even a sand model for preparation. The operation, led by Commander Mehretea...

This episode from Zantana by Azentawi describes the formation and strategic importance of the Ginda Front during the Eritrean War of Independence. It explains how the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) established the Ginda Front as part of Operation Fenkil to block Ethiopian reinforcements from reaching the port city of Massawa after its liberation. The document details the intense bat...

This episode is based on Simon Weldemichael's article and it details the Fenkil Operation , a pivotal three-day battle in February 1990 that liberated the port city of Massawa and significantly altered the balance of power in the Eritrean struggle for independence. This amphibious operation resulted in heavy Ethiopian casualties and the destruction of their naval force , effectively cutting of...

This episode recounts the historical Battle of Afabet , a pivotal event in the Eritrean struggle for liberation where the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) decisively defeated Ethiopia's Nadew Command in March 1988. This victory ended a military stalemate and significantly shifted the balance of power in favor of the Eritrean freedom fighters, leading to the liberation of Afabet ....

This episode offers a comprehensive overview of Eritrea's tumultuous history, highlighting its persistent struggle for self-determination against successive foreign powers. It details how Italian colonization initiated a period of oppression, leading to the rise of resistance movements and a burgeoning Eritrean national identity. Following World War II, the text explains how British interim rule a...

"Smashing all Barriers and Reshaping Outdated Societal Perceptions" by Dr. Fikrejesus Amahazion, discusses the significance of International Women's Day as a global celebration of women's achievements and a call to action for gender equality. It highlights the universal importance of gender equality as a fundamental human right and a catalyst for societal progress, despite ongoin...