For Immediate Release: 12/17/2007

Launch of the Eritrean Youth Mekete in Washington DC

Over one hundred young Eritrean-Americans participated in the Eritrean Youth Mekete last night at Crystal City Towers in Arlington, Virginia. This meeting follows a call to action set at the Washington DC Hizbawi Mekete held one month ago. This is the first time a large number of exclusively young Eritreans held a forum to discuss issues facing the State of Eritrea.

Moderator Bsrat Mezghebe, a community activist and graduate student at John Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, began the program by highlighting the two major threats facing Eritrean sovereignty – an un-demarcated border and the potential of Eritrea being listed as an official state sponsor of terrorism. The Eritrean Ambassador to the United States, Ambassador Ghirmai Ghebremariam briefly discussed the current affairs of Eritrea.

Semhar Araia, an attorney who represented Eritrea on the Eritrean-Ethiopian Claims Commission gave details on Eritrea's history, the roots of  the Eritrean Independence Movement and the 1998-2000 war and the most recent border stalemate.  Yohannes Sium, political science major and current law school student at George Washington University Law School, followed with a presentation describing the current U.S. Foreign Policy, "War on Terrorism," including the Bush administration's policy in Iraq, Iran, Somalia, and the Ogaden and specifically how it all relates to the Horn of Africa. Saba Sebhatu, who holds a bachelors degree in journalism, described the bias in some major Western media outlets and how this relates to reporting on Eritrea. She highlighted instances of editorial distortions related to Eritrea and the Horn of Africa in print and broadcast media.

Aster Yosiel then presented on the history of the phenomenal Eritrean Diaspora activism over the last four decades and the special role that youth now play in development and defense of Eritrea in and throughout Eritrea and the Diaspora. Sophia Tesfamariam, a long time community activist and writer, then gave a stirring testimonial of the beginning of the diaspora movement including a hunger strike that occurred in front of the Soviet Embassy in the 1990's. Milen Zerabruk, a graduate of William and Mary urged everyone to contribute to their community organizations and attend future working group meetings.          

A Question & Answer session followed with a number of questions related to how all the participants, as American citizens, could change U.S. Foreign Policy towards Eritrea and the inaccurate reporting on Eritrea in the media. Semhar Araia, a former Foreign Policy Legislative Assistant in Congress, stressed the importance of calling and writing to their congressmen. Saba Sebhatu also encouraged everyone to take the initiative by writing to reporters of inaccurate articles. Most of the remaining energetic comments and questions related on what strategies should be employed.  The event was a tremendous success spurring an unprecedented level of Eritrean-American activism.

Hundreds of youth signed on to be a part of new activist movements in the DC area.