Overhaul of foreign ministry

The Eritrean government has undertaken a major reorganisation of its foreign ministry, the pro-government web site Visafric said on 15 December. Regional desks have been established, several ambassadors recalled and new embassies in Europe planned. The signing of the peace deal between Ethiopia and Eritrea on 12 December and the postwar focus on development and reconstruction had “necessitated changes”, the Visafric report said. Quoting government sources, it said among those ambassadors recalled was the ambassador to the US, Semere Rusom, replaced by Girma Asmerom. Girma Asmerom was formerly ambassador to Ethiopia until he was declared persona non grata, Visafric said. Eritrea’s ambassador to the UN, Haile Menkerios, has also been recalled and will replaced by Ahmad Tahir Baduri. The ambassadors to Italy, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, China and Egypt have also been recalled, and were expected to be assigned senior positions in the foreign ministry, Visafric said. New embassies are reportedly being opened in Holland, Switzerland, Australia, and Denmark, and there will be a representative to the UN in Geneva. Other changes in the ministry include the setting up of regional desks for Europe, America, Africa, Asia and the Middle East.