Italian community worried by expulsion of ambassador

Dismayed by last week’s expulsion of their ambassador to Eritrea, Italians living in Eritrea fear a possible breakdown of relations between Italy and Eritrea. They are also worried that there might be other negative implications for their community, AFP reported on 5 October. Italy, the country’s colonial power from 1889 until 1941, and which still maintains cultural and economic ties with Eritrea, has about 1,000 of its citizens as long-term residents there. Apart from running elementary schools, they are also in business in the country. Ambassador Antonio Bandini, who also represented the European Union (EU) in Eritrea, was expelled for issuing a statement on behalf of the EU, calling for the release of arrested members of the opposition and the reopening of the private press. Last month, the government closed down the country's private press and arrested 11 prominent individuals and former government officials for criticising President Isayas Afewerki. The Eritrean foreign ministry accused the ambassador of "inappropriate interference in the country’s internal affairs," but also said the measure was "directed towards the diplomat alone and should not otherwise have a bearing on the close and historical ties of partnership with Italy and other EU member states."