Ruby Sandhu

Another vivid display of the Potemkin Party's incorrigible preference for optics, political duplicity, and hollow posturing instead of substance. Let us revert to the fundamentals: 1. The Five-Point Peace Agreement - Joint Declaration of Peace and Friendship between Eritrea and Ethiopia - that was signed in Asmara on July 9, 2018, was anchored on cardinal pillars of international law; i.e. full respect of each-others sovereignty and territorial integrity. 2. Indeed, Article 1. of the Agreement explicitly heralds the "end of the state of war between Ethiopia and Eritrea and the ushering in of "a new era of peace and friendship". Articles 4 & 5 announce the "full implementation" of the EEBC Award; and, the "joint endeavor of both countries to ensure regional peace, development and cooperation", respectively. 3. This Agreement occurred 18 years after the "final and binding" EEBC Arbitral Award that was rendered in April 2002. The state of continued hostility that prevailed between the two countries stemmed from the willful decision of the incumbent Ethiopia regimes not to abide by the international agreements they had signed as well as the failure of the relevant international powers/guarantors to take punitive measures against the recalcitrant party. 4. But the positive and sensible stance that the new Ethiopian government took, even if belatedly, in 2018 was sadly and suddenly reversed in December 2023 when it reverted to a more virulent variant of the expansionist and irredentist agendas of its predecessors; dashing the optimism and euphoria that the 2018 Peace Agreement had engendered for a new chapter of enduring regional stability and cooperation between the two neighbouring peoples and countries. 5. The Potemkin Party went beyond illicit claims of "sovereign access to the sea.. and reclaiming by force the stolen port of Assab", to desecrate and "delegitimize" Eritrea's inalienable and hard-won independence, publicly setting its mission as "the correction of the historical event that transpired in 1991 - i.e. Eritrea's independence". The daily barrage of media campaigns to whip up "national sentiment"; the provocative saber-rattling have been, and remain, intensive and boundless to this day. 6. As we have emphasized repeatedly, the incubator and epicenter of the unnecessary and avoidable tension; the party that is bracing for renewed conflict is the Potemkin Party alone. In the event, the panacea or antidote for the looming crisis is crystal clear: adherence to fundamental pillars of international law in good-faith and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of thy neighbour! "ካብ ጉይይ ምውዓል፡ ክሳድ ምሓዝ"፥ከም ዝበሃል። teapawt.net/SirakBahlbi/status/199…

Statement by Ambassador Sophia Tesfamariam at the 19th NAM Ministerial Conference; Kampala, 16 October 2025 *"...For its part, Eritrea remains committed to promoting economic self-reliance, social justice as well as South-South cooperation, and equitable global partnerships. We will continue strengthening collaboration with NAM partners, enhancing trade, technology transfer, and investment in human capital, with the goal of building resilient, and sovereign economies capable of contributing meaningfully to global prosperity and affluence". *"...Eritrea underscores the sovereign rights of all states, large or small, and the importance of respecting their independence, territorial integrity, and decision-making authority. We stress the principles of multilateralism, peaceful coexistence, and the protection of the sovereignty of all states, which remain central to our shared vision. Eritrea categorically rejects any reckless attempts transgressing these cardinal principles in pursuit of perceived geopolitical interests as these will lead to unprecedent regional and international destabilization". shabait.com/2025/10/16/state…

President Isaias Afwerki met, in mid-afternoon hours today at State House, Sudanese delegation led by Prime Minister Dr. Kamil Idris for extensive discussions on enhancement of bilateral ties, the efforts underway to resolve the conflict in Sudan, as well as other regional and international issues of mutual interest. President Isaias underlined that Eritrea's position on vital matters regarding Sudan is both principled and immutable; anchored, as it is, on unequivocal support to Sudan's unity and dignity. President Isaias further added that Eritrea will continue to play its part in the ongoing endeavours for a durable solution to the conflict in the Sudan. Prime Minister Kamil Idris, on his part, delivered a message of good wishes from General Abdul-Fattah al- Burhan, the Chairman of Sudan's Sovereign Council, to President Isaias Afwerki, as well as greetings and gratitude from the entire people of Sudan. Prime Minister Kamil paid tribute to "the bold position of the Government and people of Eritrea at a critical juncture in which the people of Sudan were going through difficult and trying times due to an imposed war". PM Kamil further attested that "Eritrea's inspirational and historic stance stem from its profound values".

There is visible resurgence of reckless saber-rattling, accompanied by disdainful distortion of Eritrea's ancient, medieval and modern history, by Prosperity Party (or Potemkin Party, choose your pick) officials and trolls these days. The trite arguments - or political hogwash so to speak - are too boring and fallacious to merit serious discourse. Latest one is on Eritrea's 1993 Referendum. Let us underline, for the umpteenith time, the following fundamental (history, international law 101) facts: 1. Eritrea's right of decolonization - which should have been exercised in the 1940s - was and remains an inalienable and exclusive national political prerogative that is clearly enshrined in international law. This cannot be vetoed by, or require the endorsement of, any other country or international body. 2. The 1993 referendum was accordingly conducted through the unilateral choice and decision of Eritrea in accordance with established modalities. It was not, and could not, be predicated on the prior consent, endorsement or greenlight of the occupying power. 3. Eritrea's succinct response remains, in the words of PIA: "ዓዲ ወዓሉ" teapawt.net/hawelti/status/1897966…

Excellent Read - #Eritrea Through UN Eyes: Impressions from a Southern Region Tour; by Mussie Efriem "...This entire experience has been a truly wonderful opportunity to bring the UN team and our partners together, allowing us to witness just how much progress is happening in Eritrea, particularly in the realm of development"; UNRC, Ms Nahla Valji *"...At the hospital we visited, we saw state-of-the-art facilities, from functional digital X-ray machines to even AI-powered X-ray machines. Of course, Asmara is the center, but strengthening and equipping hospitals around the peripheries with advanced facilities like this aligns with the Eritrean mandate of leaving no one behind. It’s about making sure that what is available in the center also reaches the hard-to-reach, making it very accessible to every Eritrean"; Dr. Nonso Epraim, WHO Acting Director *"...the deepening of the partnership between the UN and the government, and the strong relationship that currently exists, is one takeaway. The second is something related to the vision of the country. The country really has a vision which has a sense of purpose. In addition to that, I believe the narration of the country must change. The narrative must change to tell the real, positive story of this country. This is why, going back, I’ll be an ambassador of Eritrea to tell what good resides here in terms of the people and in terms of the government’s vision to ensure that development reaches everybody. The third one is personal: that everything is possible when you believe in your purpose. I think this has been the spirit of Eritrea all over these years. They believed and were consistent on what they have believed and their purpose, and this is my personal takeaway"; Mr. Mathias Zana Naab, Director of UNDP Regional Service Center shabait.com/2025/06/21/eritr…

Profile Q & A with Amanuel Biedemariam (author of a new book - Eritrea: the Struggle is Long, and Victory is Certain, the overarching mantra of the three-decades long liberation struggle) "...The number one thing your enemies do in order to undermine you is to undermine your history. So we need to be able to tell our story to counter the negativity and we need to put the good stories in there to make sure that people understand...". shabait.com/2025/04/02/eritr…

Excellent Read - Year of Impact: Eritrea’s Resident Coordinator on Turning Challenge into Change * Perceptive analysis and Refreshing Narrative on Eritrea by UNRC Nahla Valji that resonates, and is in full consonance with, the realties on the ground. * "...This country is unique; the doors are always open. It is a country that is willing to partner with anybody as long as it is on terms that are aligned to and respectful of local leadership. As we take forward the outcomes of the Summit of the Future, and global governance and international financial institutions reforms, there are many things we can learn from here. Despite the complexities of the geopolitical situation in which this country finds itself, the partners on the ground here see the potential and the importance of constructive engagement...". unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/…’s-resident-coordinator-turning-challenge-change