Eritrea’s Martyrs Day Commemorated with Patriotic Zeal
Eritrea’s Martyrs Day was commemorated with patriotic zeal by nationals inside the country and abroad.
At the commemorative event held at Asmara Martyrs Cemetery, President Isaias Afwerki laid a wreath in tribute to the heroic martyrs. The commemorative event commenced with a public procession from Shida Square to the Martyrs Cemetery, accompanied by a marching band.
The ceremony was attended by senior Government and PFDJ officials, Army Commanders, members of the diplomatic community, and thousands of Asmara residents.
The official ceremony, which was broadcast live on Eri-TV and Radio Dimtsi Hafash, featured cultural and artistic performances highlighting the deep meaning of the day and the invaluable sacrifices made by the gallant freedom fighters for Eritrea’s independence and national sovereignty.
Martyrs Day was also marked with patriotic zeal on 19 June by Eritrean nationals inside the country and abroad with a candlelight vigil.
The commemorative event in Asmara was conducted with a candlelight vigil and walkathon from Martyrs Avenue to Bahti Meskerem Square, accompanied by a marching band. The event drew thousands of Asmara residents.
Mr. Tekie Qeleta, Director General of Administration and Finance of the Central Region, noting that Eritrea’s martyrs are the source of national pride who ensured the country’s independence and national sovereignty, underlined that Martyrs Day, 20 June, is a reminder for every national to support families of martyrs and live up to their expectations by redoubling efforts in the nation-building process.
The ceremony at Bahti Meskerem Square was broadcast live on Eritrean Television and Radio Dimtsi Hafash.
Martyrs Day, 20 June, was also enthusiastically commemorated nationwide with various events in remembrance of Eritrea’s heroes and heroines who paid the ultimate price for independence and national sovereignty.
At exactly 1:00 p.m. today, a minute of silence was observed across the country in memory of the martyrs.
Monetary Support to Families of Martyrs
Monetary support in connection with Martyrs Day, 20 June, has been extended to families of martyrs in the Central Region.
Accordingly, members of the Central Region administration disbursed 5,000 Nakfa each to 60 families of martyrs.
Mr. Tekie Qeleta, Director General of Administration and Finance of the Central Region administration, noting that supporting families of martyrs is the responsibility of every citizen, commended the initiative taken by members of the administration.
The event, in which Mr. Yusuf Saiq, Head of Organizational Affairs of the PFDJ, and other Government and PFDJ officials took part, featured cultural presentations depicting the significance of the day.
In the same vein, students of Mai-Nefhi College of Science extended 75,000 Nakfa in support of 50 families of martyrs, while the Akria sub-zonal administration extended financial support to 30 families of martyrs and to Grade 11 students who are set to go to Sawa to pursue their 12th-grade education.
Similarly, members of line ministries and Government institutions in the port city of Massawa extended 252,000 Nakfa in support of 42 families of martyrs.
Noting that the initiative to support families of martyrs is growing from time to time, Mr. Ismail Osman, representative of the Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare branch in the Northern Red Sea Region, said that this year alone about one million Nakfa is being distributed to over 160 families of martyrs.
Commending the initiative, Mr. Haile Asfaha, administrator of the port city, called for reinforced participation by every citizen.
The workers’ organization of the Ministry of Education in the Northern Red Sea Region extended 42,000 Nakfa in support of seven families of martyrs in Buya administrative area, Gelalo sub-zone.
Workers of various institutions in Sheib sub-zone extended 72,000 Nakfa in support of 12 families of martyrs, while workers of Gedem Cement Factory contributed 36,000 Nakfa to support six families of martyrs. #Eritrea
Commemorative Events and Popular Campaigns in Connection with Martyrs Day
Commemorative events and popular campaigns in connection with 20 June, Martyrs Day, have been carried out by various Government institutions, regions, national associations, and cooperative associations.
Accordingly, members of the Ministry of Agriculture central office organized a commemorative event featuring a candlelight vigil as well as cultural programs depicting the deep meaning of the day. The program was attended by Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture, and other officials of the Ministry.
Members of the PFDJ central office also conducted tree cultivation and environmental sanitation popular campaign at the Biet-Gergis area on 16 June.
The coordinator of the liberation fighters’ associations also organized a walkathon and commemorative event in connection with Martyrs Day, 20 June.
The walkathon program was attended by Gen. Filipos Woldeyohannes, Chief of Staff of the Eritrean Defense Forces, and other senior Government and PFDJ officials.
Martyrs Day, 20 June, was also commemorated with commemorative events and popular campaigns in the Gash Barka Region.
The event in Barentu featured cultural and artistic performances depicting the deep meaning of the day and the heavy sacrifice paid for independence and safeguarding national sovereignty.
Environmental sanitation popular campaigns were also carried out at the Martyrs Cemeteries in Barentu and Golij, with the participation of members of the Defense Forces.
According to Mr. Gebremicael Mengisteab, head of social services in Golij sub-zone, 140,000 Nakfa and 500 quintals of grain have been extended to families of martyrs in the sub-zone. #Eritrea
OCHA Delegation Holds Discussions with Senior Government Officials
A United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) delegation led by Ms. Edem Wosornu, Director of the Response Division, met and held talks on 18 and 19 June with senior Government officials focusing on mutual cooperation and development programs.
The delegation, accompanied by Ms. Nahla Valji, Resident Coordinator of UN offices in Eritrea, held discussions with Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs; Mr. Arefaine Berhe, Minister of Agriculture; Mr. Yemane Gebremeskel, Minister of Information; as well as Mr. Yemane Gebreab, Head of Political Affairs of the PFDJ.
The objective of the visit of the OCHA delegation was to observe national development priorities and challenges, assess first-hand the impact of climate change, strengthen cooperation modalities, and review program activities.
The delegation also visited nutrition prevention and treatment services in Adi-Tekelezan; a water supply project operating with a solar energy system in Embadorho, Serejeka sub-zone; as well as the Akria National Model of Integrated Organic Agriculture. #Eritrea
Candle Vigil Procession yesterday evening in Asmara in solemn remembrance of Martyrs Day. Similar and other various activities held throughout the nation.
ሃገር ኣብ ረዚን ዝኽሪ ሓበን!
President Isaias Afwerki laid a Wreath at Asmara's Patriots Cemetery in the morning hours today in tribute & remembrance of #Eritrea's heroic Martyrs.
Ceremony included public procession from Sheda Square to the Cemetery as well as cultural shows on the precious sacrifices paid for ascertaining and safeguarding national sovereignty/territorial integrity and human dignity.
ሃገር ኣብ ረዚን ዝኽሪ ሓበን!
Prayer Service in Connection with Martyrs Day
Sermons and prayers in commemoration of Martyrs Day, presided by His Reverend Abune Basilios I, 5th Patriarch of the Orthodox Tewahdo Church , was held at St. Michael’s Church in Asmara during the mid-morning hours today. The prayer service was attended by religious leaders of the Tewahdo Orthodox, Catholic, and Lutheran Christian denominations.
Merigeta Mulugeta Simon from the Office of the Patriarch, indicating that the martyrs who paid with their precious lives attested to their love for their people and country, urged citizens to renew their pledge to live up to their expectations.
Similarly, in the afternoon hours, Salat and Dua services were conducted at the Al-Khulafae Al-Rashideen Grand Mosque, led by Sheik Salem Ibrahim Almukhtar, Mufti of Eritrea.
Sheik Salem Ibrahim, noting that 20 June, Martyrs Day, is a day on which the Eritrean people proudly commemorate their martyrs who brought independence and safeguarded national sovereignty, urged every citizen to strengthen contributions in support of families of martyrs. #Eritrea
Monetary Contribution by Nationals in Support of Families of Martyrs
In continuation of the support they are extending to families of martyrs, #Eritrea|n nationals residing in Germany have contributed over 140 thousand Euros in support of families of martyrs and towards augmenting the Martyrs Trust Fund.
The contribution included 21 thousand 517 Euros in support of families of martyrs and 18 thousand 547 Euros towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund.
Accordingly, the martyrs group in Bielefeld and its environs contributed 470 Euros, nationals in Giessen and its environs 1 thousand 820 Euros, the ‘Handay’ group in Giessen 1 thousand 115 Euros, the national committee in Stuttgart and its environs 3 thousand 982 Euros, the Eritrean community in Berlin 1 thousand Euros, the Eritrean community in Kassel and its environs 1 thousand 350 Euros, the Eritrean community in Waiblingen and its environs 900 Euros, nationals in Esslingen 2 thousand 700 Euros, nationals in Wiesbaden 2 thousand Euros, and nationals in Reutlingen and its environs 1 thousand 400 Euros in support of families of martyrs, while nationals in Bodensee contributed 1 thousand 850 Euros towards augmenting the National Martyrs Trust Fund.
Sermons & Prayers in Commemoration of Martyrs Day presided by Religious Leaders of the Tewahdo Orthodox; Catholic; & Luthern Christian denominations held at St. Michael's Church in Asmara in mid-morning hours today.
Similar ceremony at Asmara Grand Mosque scheduled for later in the day
ሃገር ኣብ ረዚን ዝኽሪ ሓበን!
#Eritreancycling: Congrats to All!
What a sprint! What a stellar performance! Biniam Girmay wins Stage 1 of Baloise Belgium Tour (https://t.co/Vm3CPd8jI7) 188.3 km
https://t.co/kI0wegeDOR
The Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare has stated that GOE has disbursed, through monthly installments, over 6.2 billion Nacfa in tribute to, and, for the support of the families of Eritrea's Martyrs in the past twenty years (2004-2025).
ሃገር ኣብ ረዚን ዝኽሪ ሓበን!
Government of Eritrea Disbursed Over 6.2 Billion Nakfa to Families of Martyrs
The Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare announced that, from 2004 to 2025, the Government of Eritrea disbursed over 6.2 billion Nakfa in support of families of martyrs.
Noting that the Government of Eritrea began extending support to families of martyrs in 1995, Mr. Zerai Tekleab, Director of Families of Martyrs’ Welfare at the Ministry, said that initially 10 thousand Nakfa was distributed to families of martyrs for each martyr.
Mr. Zerai went on to say that following the issuance of Proclamation No. 137/2003, aimed at sustainably extending support to families of martyrs, 500 Nakfa has been distributed monthly to families of martyrs for each martyr since January 2004.
Mr. Zerai also said that, as part of efforts to enable families of martyrs to become self-supportive, over 27 million Nakfa has been invested in rehabilitating families of martyrs through livestock and small-scale trade activities.
Regarding the contribution of nationals inside the country and abroad, Mr. Zerai said that every national in the Diaspora has taken the initiative to contribute 720 US dollars over two years, while others have assumed the responsibility of permanently supporting individual families of martyrs.
Mr. Zerai indicated that over the past 22 years, nationals inside the country and abroad have contributed over 202 million Nakfa, benefiting 24 thousand 545 families of martyrs.
Noting that nationals inside the country, including students, Government and PFDJ workers, as well as associations, are making valuable contributions in support of families of martyrs, Mr. Zerai called on every citizen to follow the noble initiative.
Activity Assessment Meeting of National Organizations in Italy
National organizations in Italy have conducted a virtual activity assessment meeting for the first half of 2026.
The meeting was attended by Mr. Fesehatsion Petros, #Eritrea’s Ambassador to Italy and non-resident Ambassador to Scandinavian countries, Mr. Teklesenbet Imam, Eritrea’s Consul General, and Mr. Ghirmay Habtemicael, head of Public and Community Affairs, as well as about 80 heads of PFDJ, the National Union of Eritrean Women, YPFDJ, Eritrean communities, and media and diplomacy committees. The meeting reviewed activities implemented over the past half year and adopted various recommendations and resolutions.
Ambassador Petros gave an extensive briefing on the objective situation in the homeland as well as regional and global developments. Noting that Eritrea, while ensuring its sovereignty, is making its modest contribution to realizing peace and cooperation in the region, he called for reinforced participation of national organizations.
In the same vein, a seminar on administration and leadership was provided to over 100 heads of national organizations from all cantons in Switzerland in the city of Bern. The seminar, focusing on the “Political Ideology of PFDJ,” was organized in collaboration with the Eritrean Embassy and the Eritrean professionals’ association in Switzerland.
Mr. Habtom Zeray, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Switzerland and Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the UN and other international organizations in Geneva, noted the significance of heads of national organizations equipping themselves with knowledge, enhancing their political awareness, and transferring the knowledge they gained from the seminar to their respective organizations.
Mr. Isaias Hadgu, chairman of the Eritrean professionals’ association in Switzerland, underlined the importance of the seminar in enabling national organizations to identify their strengths and challenges and become more effective in their activities.
Likewise, nationals residing in the Swiss cities of Lugano and Thurgau conducted public diplomacy activities aimed at acquainting others with the culture and traditions of Eritrean society.
The Eritrean community in Qatar also conducted an assessment meeting on programs presented at the 35th Independence Day anniversary celebration. The activity assessment meeting was attended by Mr. Ali Ibrahim, Eritrea’s Ambassador to Qatar.