Eritrea's National Service seems to be on the spotlight again by certain quarters.
The "new interest" does not stem from some "benevolent concern" for Eritrea. On the contrary, it is floated, purely and simply, in order to weaponize it as a "convenient" whiplash or cudgel for their unwarranted and malicious policies of perennial witch-hunting and harassment.
Indeed, the logic is simple and straight forward.
Countries and international institutions that were complicit in, or that kept mum, at critical junctures of Eritrea's modern history; when its decolonization rights were compromised to mollify the overriding geopolitical interests of major powers; when they left it to its own devices during the three decades of its long and arduous liberation struggle; who relapsed to their traditional position of hostility or apathy even after independence when successive Ethiopian regimes waged illicit wars, and are still contemplating reckless agendas, of territorial irredentism.. etc. have no legal or moral authority to comment on Eritrea's defense architecture.
Truth is international partnership is, and must be, a two-way street. Those who have traditionally abandoned Eritrea during its cyclical ordeals cannot pose as "good-faith" partners to offer unsolicited "advice" on its defense architecture.
The facts are otherwise unambivalent and crystal clear:
1. First off, demobilization is not a new or novel concept to Eritrea. The GOE embarked, on its own volition, on a demobilization programme in 1992, immediately after independence, to reduce the size of the 100,000-strong army of freedom fighters by 65%. The military doctrine at the time was to maintain a small professional army of 35,000 that would be supplemented by a reserve army (National Service) for reasons of contingency in the event of some grave external threat to the nation.
2. In this perspective, National Service was introduced in the context of this military doctrine. It was and remains limited to 18 months by law. And this was the operational modality until the war of aggression that was unleashed by Ethiopia in 1998 under the false pretext of a border dispute.
3. The GOE again embarked on a much more expansive Demobilization Programme in 2001 pursuant to the signing of the Algiers Agreement. The second Demobilization Programme had various training and reinsertion components as it was also funded by Eritrea's international partners including the World Bank, the European Union and bilateral funds. More than 105,000 National Service members were demobilized in this programme that continued until 2007. But it was ultimately shelved as the Ethiopian regime continued to renege on its treaty obligations; occupy, with impunity, sovereign Eritrean territories including Badme; and further pursued a hostile policy of perpetual confrontation.
4. The mindset of the current Ethiopian regime remains, in many respects, a continuation and aggravation of the misguided and deplorable policies of aggression of its predecessors.
4. But even during these trying and difficult times, the GOE has, and continues to take, various measures to mitigate the shared burden of the National Service. The measures adopted range from introduction of new and much higher Civil Service Salary Scale to deployment of the overwhelming majority of NS members to the public sector.
5. In the event, the new smear campaign on the National Service peddled by certain quarters, and its timing, only amplify a malicious ulterior agenda that has nothing to do with the welfare of the Eritrean people and/or the pursuit of regional peace and security.
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đŽđˇ |âŞď¸#Iranian delegation led by Ghalibaf is meeting face to face with JDVance
đşđ¸ |âŞď¸US & Iranian officials have not been seen in the same place for over a decade
The goal of the talks is to resolve the current issues & lay the groundwork for concrete negotiations
The Proceedings (Volume 1 & 2) of the International Conference on Eritrean Studies (ICES 2025) that was convened in Asmara from 3-7 January 2025 are now available on Amazon at the link below...
https://t.co/CIePCDyxHw #Amazon via @Amazon
JUNE 20 is a day we embrace memories of our heroines and heroes who fell in the all out political and armed struggle for freedom. ă¨ăŞăăŞă˘#Eritreaâs peace and stability stands on the invincible citizenship and sovereignty foundation built with their blood, sweat and tears shade by millions of its inhabitants in cities, towns and - from afar and near- villages.
Candle Vigil Procession yesterday evening in Asmara in solemn remembrance of Martyrs Day. Similar and other various activities held throughout the nation.
ááá áŁáĽ á¨áá áá˝áŞ áá á!
Los Angeles, California USA - June 20, 2026: 20 á°á áááᲠá°ááĽáłáľ á¤ááľáŤ áŁáĽ á¨á°á LA
á°ááĽáłáľá áĽááĽáŞá áá°á áą!!
áááŁááá áá˝áá ááĽáá áá°ááĽáłáľ á¤ááľáŤá˘Eternal glory to our martyrs. They gave all they had to let the next generations of Eritreans to live as Eritreans.
May their souls rest in peace! đâŞď¸đđŞđˇđŞđˇđŞđˇđŞđˇ
A Symbol of Eritrean Pride and Football HeritageâŚ!
For Eritrea and its global diaspora, Alexander Isak is a massive source of national pride.
Eritrea has a deep rooted love and passion for football, with a rich history of producing exceptionally talented players who possess incredible technical skill and tactical intelligence.
Alexander issack embodies this heritage on the world stage, carrying the hopes and pride of millions of Eritreans who celebrate him as one of their own.
Football analysts agree that Isak looks hungry for goals in this 2026 World Cup. Partnering upfront with Arsenal's Viktor GyĂśkeres, they form a terrifying attacking duo, making Isak a genuine contender for the Golden Boot.
Kudos #Eritrea