Independence Day Anniversary Celebration in Addis Ababa

Asmara, 24 May 2026 – The 35th Independence Day anniversary, organized by the Eritrean Embassy in Ethiopia and Eritrea’s Permanent Mission to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, was colorfully celebrated on 22 May at the Headquarters of the African Union.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Biniam Berhe, Chargé d’Affaires at the Eritrean Embassy in Ethiopia and Eritrea’s Permanent Representative to the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa, said that this year’s Independence Day is celebrated under the deeply meaningful theme “Our Resilience: Our Guarantee.” He said that it was precisely this resilience, demonstrated by Eritrea’s liberation fighters and the entire population, that brought an arduous, three-decade-long struggle for independence to a triumphant end. Likewise, it is this same enduring spirit that has enabled Eritrea to navigate a turbulent regional and international environment, firmly securing its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Mr. Biniam also said that the enduring lesson from half a century of political and armed struggle, as well as the ongoing nation-building process, is clear: the ultimate guarantee for success is staying the course, come rain or shine.

Mr. Biniam reiterated that Eritrea’s national priority remains entirely aligned with the immediate needs of its citizens, with clear focus on rural communities and underprivileged sections of society, while pursuing a broader development agenda anchored on the country’s enormous endowments and comparative advantages. These include judicious investment in, and exploitation of, the blue economy, the extractive industry, and manufacturing, among other prospective sectors. Investment in human capital has been, and remains, an overarching objective for very palpable reasons and considerations.

Concluding his remarks, Mr. Biniam said that Eritrea’s mission is clear: to ensure that citizens live in peace and have access to water, nutritious food, quality medical care, and the education necessary to reach their full potential, to mention only a few.

Ambassador Selma Malika Haddadi, Deputy Chairperson of the African Union Commission, congratulating the people and Government of Eritrea, said the history of Eritrea’s independence is one marked by extraordinary resilience, sacrifice, and determination. She added that this is matched by Eritrea’s fight against poverty and its economic development ambitions.

Ambassador Selma Malika went on to say that Eritrea stands as a powerful reminder that Africa’s broader journey toward self-determination and liberation—values that lie at the very heart of the African Union and its predecessor, the Organization of African Unity—becomes meaningful only when efforts are made to ensure fundamental socio-economic needs and build a future of hope for the people, as envisioned by the forefathers.

The occasion was attended by Ambassadors, members of the diplomatic community, and senior officials of the African Union and the Economic Commission for Africa.