ASMARA, Eritrea (NPA) — Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki has used the occasion of the country’s 35th Independence Anniversary to deliver a sweeping speech that combined reflections on Eritrea’s nation‑building journey with sharp critiques of global power structures and calls for a fairer international system.
Speaking in Asmara on May 24, 2026, Afwerki congratulated Eritreans at home and abroad, paying tribute to the sacrifices of martyrs and the resilience of citizens. He described independence as an “ongoing process” that must be continuously consolidated, urging introspection on the nation’s progress and challenges.
Afwerki linked Eritrea’s development trajectory to broader global dynamics, stressing that Africa’s marginalised societies remain victims of exploitative financial systems and zero‑sum paradigms. He argued that the dismantling of the “old global order” — characterised by domination, usury, and dependency — is no longer optional, and pressed for a new framework built on fairness, justice, mutual respect, and sustainable prosperity.
Turning to international affairs, Afwerki devoted significant attention to the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump, who returned to the White House for a second term. He analysed Trump’s “MAGA” doctrine across metrics such as industrial output, technological dominance, military power, and debt, noting America’s fiscal quagmire and questioning whether measures like repatriating industries, tariff hikes, and rare mineral monopolisation could provide lasting remedies. He also raised concerns about U.S. actions in Venezuela and Iran, questioning their legality and broader implications for global stability.
Afwerki emphasised that criticism should not be directed at Trump alone, but also at those complicit in shaping misguided policies. He urged nations to move beyond reactive responses and instead craft proactive strategies rooted in fundamental principles.
On the Africa, Afwerki warned that the African Union risks irrelevance if it fails to fulfil its mission of integration and collective progress. He reiterated Eritrea’s advocacy for regional security mechanisms in the Horn of Africa, stressing that external interventions and funding must end to resolve crises in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan. He identified ethnic polarisation, warlordism, corruption, and foreign interference as the principal obstacles to nation‑building in the region.
Domestically, Afwerki outlined Eritrea’s development priorities, including expanding road and transport projects, housing programs, electricity and water services, and healthcare. He placed particular emphasis on education from the pre‑school level, highlighting the role of youth professionals and diaspora patriots in sustaining growth. He acknowledged potential delays in supply chains but assured citizens of continued resilience, declaring: “Our Resilience, Our Guarantee! Eternal Glory to our Martyrs, exemplars of steadfastness! Victory to the Masses!”
The President’s address emphasises Eritrea’s dual focus: consolidating independence through socio‑economic development while pressing for a restructured global order that reflects justice and equality. His message was both celebratory and cautionary, urging vigilance against external pressures and renewed commitment to national and regional stability.
