Ten years of freedom celebrated

On 24 May, Eritreans celebrated 10 years of independence from Ethiopian rule. In an address to the nation, Presidents Isayas Afewerki stressed the need to reduce the size of the army, swollen after the two year border conflict with Ethiopia in 1998, the pro-government Visafric news agency said. The demobilisation of enlisted soldiers and their reintegration into civilian society would reduce government expenditure on the military and generate economic growth, Isayas said. In a wide-ranging speech, Isayas also highlighted the fight against corruption: “We should not be complacent,” he warned. “Unless corruption is checked at the outset it spreads like an epidemic.” The continuing democratic and political development of the country was also high on the agenda, and a draft law on political parties was currently under public discussion, he said. Isayas rounded off by praising the Eritrean people for their determination and steadfastness: “I am confident that the Eritrean people will overcome any obstacle in the future and defend and build a country that they are proud of.” Eritrea, a former Ethiopian province, won independence when the Eritrean People Liberation Front [EPLF] jointly with Ethiopian liberation forces defeated the former Ethiopian military dictatorship of Mengistu Hailemariam in May 1991. An international observed referendum later established recognition of the new state.