president isaias afwerki interview eritrean delegation on...

Vol. 26 No. 99 saturday, February 8, 2020 Pages 8, Price 2.00 NFA

Senior Eritrean delegation comprising Foreign Minister Osman Saleh, and Presidential Adviser Mr. Yemane Gebreab met in Khartoum on 6 February with President Abdul Fattah al-Burhan, Head of the Sovereign Council of Sudan.

During the meeting the Eritrean delegation delivered message from President Isaias Afwerki.

President Isaias Afwerki’s message focused on the development of bilateral relations and regional issues of interest to the two countries

International Day of Zero Tolerance for FGM was observed on 6 February at national level in Barentu under the theme “Ending FGM with the capacity of the youth”. The aim of the observance of the Day is to amplify and direct the efforts on the elimination of the practice that is mentally, physically and socio-economically affecting women, the report underlined.

At the event in which senior Gash Barka region administrators and heads of health institutions, religious leaders, representatives of the public and international institutions took part, various debating and discussion forums, as well as sports and cultural activities were conducted highlighting the negative impacts of FGM thereby raising awareness.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Franko Kubaba, Director General of social services and chairman of the committee for eliminating FGM in Gash Barka region, stated that a committee with the objective of fighting FGM and underage marriage practices as well as ensuring children’s rights has been established by the joint effort of the regional administration, regional branch of the NUEW and regional branches of the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare. Mr. Franko also indicated that the committee is working in tandem with representatives of the public, administrations of subzones and administrative areas.

The director of community and family affairs at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Birhana Haile, on her part pointing out that FGM practices have no religious or legal rights at all, said that encouraging outcome is being registered from the anti-FGM efforts being conducted nationwide.

In a speech they delivered, the representatives of UNICEF and UNPF (United Nations Population Fund) on their part stated that the Government and people of Eritrea are rigorously working towards reducing FGM to zero in accordance with the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and expressed readiness of the UN organizations in Eritrea to continue supporting the endeavors.

During the observance day, various artistic performances, testimonies of women victims of FGM practices as well as health practitioners were presented. Certificates of recognition were also handed out to individuals who played exemplary role in the fight against FGM practice.

InternatIonal Day of Zero tolerance for fGM

erItrean DeleGatIon on workInG vIsIt to suDan

including the Horn of Africa cooperation.

President Abdul Fattah on his part stressed the strong relationship between Eritrea and the Sudan and their readiness to work together on bilateral and regional cooperation.

The delegation also met and held talks with Vice President of the Sovereign Council, Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, and Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdock on development of bilateral relations.

President Isaias Afwerki has conducted extensive interview yesterday 7 February with national media outlets, Eri-TV and Dimtsi Hafash Radio programme. President Isaias in his interview shed light on range of issues

PresIDent IsaIas afwerkI IntervIew

including domestic and regional developments.

President Isaias also gave detailed explanation on the significance, progress and regional development of the historic peace

agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia and underscored that the people and Government of Eritrea will give utmost priority for the consolidation of the new era of peace and friendship prevailing in the region.

Full range of the news coverage of the interview will be published on our next issue.

Exhibition staged in connection with the 30th anniversary commemoration of Operation Fenkil was opened yesterday, 7 February by the Secretary of the PFDJ, Mr. Alamin Mohammed-Seid.

The exhibition was organized in cooperation with the Ministry of Defense Promotion and Information department, the Ministry of Marine Resources, the Northern Red Sea administration as well as Mr. Donald Bostrom, Swedish friend of Eritrea.

The exhibition includes ancient and historical heritage in the

oPeratIon fenkIl celebratIonsNorthern Red Sea region, activities of the Ministry of Marine Resources and their progress, art products by members of the Eritrean Defense Forces as well as the perseverance and life style of freedom fighter and atrocities committed by Ethiopian regimes.

In related developments, East African Half Marathon competition in connection with the 30th anniversary commemoration of Operation Fenkil was held in the main streets of the port city of Massawa with 90 athletes taking the line for the competition.

At the half marathon completion

that is recognized by the International Athletics Federation, athletes from Eritrea, Ethiopia, South Sudan and Tanzania have participated.

In the men’s race, Athlete Girmai Gebreselasie stood first, Athletes Samson Amare and Yonas Yakob stood second and third respectively, while Natsinet Amnauel, Simret Merhawi and Hibret Debesai stood from first to third respectively in the women’s race.

The 30th anniversary commemoration of Operation Fenkil will continue until 9 February.

2 Vol. 26 No. 99Eritrea Profile, saturday, February 8, 2020

Published Every Saturday & Wednesday

Acting EditorAmanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

E-mail:profile@ zena.gov.er

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Azmera BerhaneSara Alem


Acting Editor Amanuel [email protected]

P.O.Box: 247Tel: 11-41-14Fax: 12-77-49

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Acting Editor Amanuel [email protected]

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Published Every Wednesday & saturday

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Aida Johar

Operation Fenkil: the Outcome of incredible Fortitude

Massawa, a city which for centuries had been one of the region’s most important ports, had been under different colonial regimes.

Whenever the month February comes, every Eritrean remembers the port city of Massawa and the military operation carried out by the EPLF, ‘Fenkil Operation’, which saw the liberation of

Massawa. This operation was one of the greatest strategic offensives conducted by the Eritrean people. It was done in order to totally drive out the Ethiopian colonial army, which was supported by the superpowers of the day, and was the biggest military in black Africa. This operation signaled the opening of the door for the total liberation of Eritrea from the

tyrannical rulers of Ethiopia.

Three decades ago, Massawa, the pearl of the Red Sea, was liberated from the well-equipped military regime of Derg by the famous Operation Fenkil. A sudden and swift attack changed forever the future map of the liberation struggle. The operation brought the sun to the Eritrean people to see the light for the upcoming freedom.

Operation Fenkil is one of the greatest strategic offensives and feats consummated by the Eritrean people. It revealed 30 years ago that one can only find justice through one’s own struggle and determination and not through charity. Few other military engagements can be compared to the bravery, efficiency, swiftness and military finesse with which Operation Fenkil had been carried out. The operation, which had destroyed any chance of the Derg remaining in power for long and eradicated all the Derg forces in Massawa and its vicinities, is one of the greatest military maneuvers in Eritrea’s history.

The Eritrean people had been able to secure their right to self-governance on their own terms not because they had waited for charity and sympathies from others or not because they had succumbed to unprincipled diplomatic tactics, but because they had confidently struggled for it by depending only on their own internal resources. Fenkil Operation is a living reminder that if we hold on to our principles in our present or future endeavors in the face of baseless threats and dubious diplomatic tactics, then nothing can deter us from ultimately realizing our long-term vision.

Fenkil Operation was the product of incredible fortitude

and determination of the people. Moreover, it was an educational experience that taught us to stick to our principles and objectives despite the schemes engineered by enemies as well as so called friends in the name of peace-talks to deter us from our journey to realize peace and success.

The liberation of Massawa broke down the chains of colonialism,

heralded the dawn of freedom and fueled the hope and faith of Eritreans inside and outside the country. Although Operation Fenkil made it clear that Eritrean i n d e p e n d e n c e was inevitable, instead of counting their human and

material losses in the 30 years of war, Ethiopian colonizers continued to play the desperate game of fire. Still their last minute attempts could not amount to anything and soon the EPLF liberated the entire Eritrean nation and closed the chapter on the people’s struggle for independence.

Having gained their freedom through their own struggle, the courageous Eritrean people never viewed independence as their ultimate objective but rather as the first crucial step towards establishing peace and justice. Hence, soon after securing independence, the Eritrean people

embarked on the struggle to rebuild and develop the nation, and just as in the days of the struggle for independence, the Eritrean people continue to score miraculous feats one after the other. The port city of Massawa is one example that proves the above fact. One can see the reflection of a promising nation that picked itself up from the ashes of prolonged war and speeding towards development in the port

city that heralded the freedom of the entire nation.

Congratulations to all on the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the liberation of the port city of Massawa! And Congratulations to the people of Eritrea whose history of courage and patriotism is unparalleled!

A. Mesfun


the ‘meaning’ of Fenkil Operationsimon Weldemichael

The thirty-year war for Eritrea’s independence demonstrates that strategic success cannot be achieved by military force alone. Defeating an opponent militarily is not identical to achieving the object of war. The victory of Fenkil operation consists not only of overcoming the enemy forces but it also includes the attainment of the objective for which the liberation struggle was waged, the liberation of Eritrea. In his interview with Sagm, EPLF’s official organ, tegadalay Isaias Afwerki described the Fenkil victory as follows: “In the history of our liberation struggle [Fenkil] was the greatest operation that have lasting strategic importance.”

Fenkil operation that saw the liberation of Massawa had great strategic meaning. Massawa is a natural port in the Red Sea and one of the international ports of Eritrea. The natural beauty of Massawa has motivated various authors to name it ‘the pearl of Red Sea.’ The strategic location of Massawa attracted the attention of great powers. Since ancient times, Massawa has been the conduit through which foreigners arrived to hinterland of Eritrea. Massawa is one of the oldest urban centers that played a significant role in the life of Eritreans. In the history of the struggle for liberation, it played a pivotal role in determining the political destiny of the Eritrean people.

The sun of Ethiopian colonization began to set after the liberation of Massawa. Massawa served as a heart that pumps everything that was needed to the life of the Addis Ababa regime and its army in Eritrea. The Massawa-Asmara road was the artery of the Derg in general and the second revolutionary command of the Ethiopian army. The control of the port of Massawa gave the Derg an upper hand in utilizing aid as a political instrument. By that time Massawa was the only port that could be used to deliver International aid to the victims of war and drought in Ethiopia. The liberation of Massawa in February 1990 led to safe and effective distribution of international aid to the victims.

Massawa was the main channel through which the arms, ammunitions and other military logistics of the Derg were shipped, disembarked, and then transported to the interior. The continuation of the Derg and its colonial army in Eritrea was associated with the continuous occupation of Massawa and control of the Massawa-Asmara road. So the spectacular victory of Fenkil operation was a strategic defeat that effectively challenged the power of the Derg, in general, and its colonial army in Eritrea, in particular.

Fenkil operation changed the balance of power in the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia in

favor of the freedom fighters of Eritrea. The victory boosted the fire power, fighting ability and morale of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Amy (EPLA). After the capture of Massawa, Mengistu had clearly stated the meaning of the operation in plain words. In the words of Mengistu: ‘the occupation of Massawa is meant the occupation of the second revolutionary command that we consider as the apple of our eye and backbone of our defense forces.’ He further appealed that ‘the Eritrea-Ethiopia war has entered a critical stage.’ The victory of Fenkil operation put the Ethiopian colonial army in Eritrea in a complete encirclement. The capture of the port of Massawa by

the EPLF cut off Ethiopia’s land forces from Ethiopia, limiting their supply line to air transport. The Derg responded to its military defeat and humiliation by bombing the civilian population of Massawa using cluster and napalm bombs. The frantic act of the Derg was named by Eritreans qbtset, which means desperation. Fenkil operation profoundly shocked the foundation of the Derg and hastened the final defeat of the Ethiopian army in Eritrea.

The victory as explained by the EPLF war leaders and planners has put and tightened the noose on the neck of the enemy. Strategically speaking, the capture of Massawa effectively ended the war in Eritrea. The imprudent decision by the Derg to continue the war after the fall of Massawa in the hands of Eritrean freedom fighters only increased its losses and shortened its life in power.

General Sibhat Efriem, then head of the EPLF’s military operations, in an extensive interview he conducted during that time, said “the objective was to destroy the Ethiopian army in the region and cut the Asmara-Massawa line and capture the port town of Massawa.” Within the military experience and history of Africa, Fenkil operation has many unique features. In the battle more than 150 tanks were deployed from both sides, 45 of which were EPLF’s tanks. One EPLF tank was fighting against 3.3 enemy tanks. The large Ethiopian army, the infantry, mechanized units and the navy, was destroyed within 50 hours.

The operation was concluded in a spectacular speed owing to the cumulative experience and marvelous coordination among various units of the EPLA.

The liberation of Massawa took the enemy and the world by surprise. In its 10th February 1990 broadcast, the BBC stated that “if the victory claimed by the EPLF is true, it’s a big blow to president Mengistu.’ Amongst the thousands of war captives of the battle, Brigadier General Tilahun Kifle, commander of the 606 corps, described the battle as follows: “I have seen many battles before. In this front I have received my first defeat in my career as a military leader. Since I lost my fighting spirit in this battle I was really touched. The morale of your fighters [EPLA] surpassed that of ours.’ Another war captive, Brigadier General Ali Haj Abdu, commander of the 3rd mechanized unit, also witnessed the mobility and swiftness of the EPLA, the talent of the leaders and the skillful use of the artillery among others.

The victory of Fenkil operation was a strategic success that gave strategic advantage to the freedom fighters of Eritrea. The Ethiopian military’s capability was obliterated to the point where their power to fight was totally dismantled. The grand objective of the operation was to annihilate the enemy and liberate the country. The military effort of Fenkil accomplished the complete destruction of the enemy and accelerated the realization of the national liberation of Eritrea.

4 Vol. 26 No. 99 Eritrea Profile, saturday, February 8, 2020

Operation Fenkil: The unthinkable achieved in 5 9 hours

Natnael Yebio W.

On February 8, 1990, EPLF forces began their offensive attack by cutting off the critical supply route from Massawa to Asmara garrison. The surprise attack stunned the Ethiopian military and by the following afternoon the EPLF forces were in the suburbs of Massawa. On the third day of the offensive, February 11, 1990, the Eritrean forces captured the Ethiopian naval base near the town. The only remaining portions of the city to rid of Ethiopian troops were the islands.

To achieve this Eritrean forces used their nascent naval forces (mostly small gunboats) to attack from the sea during an artillery barrage. Using this artillery fire the Eritrean armor moved onto the causeways that connected the islands with the mainland. The first of these tanks was destroyed by the Ethiopian garrison that was eventually overcome by the EPLF. After this defeat the remainder of the Ethiopian forces retreated to Ghinda.

After their loss of Massawa, the Ethiopians continued their aerial bombardment of the city. The civilian population was hardest hit as the EPLF forces had followed the Ethiopian troops to Ghindae. Notable of this bombardment was the use of napalm and cluster bombs.

The Ghindae front, extending from Ghindae to Adi Roso and Northern Red-Sea, was baptized with names like ‘Enda Bumba”, “Feres sege”, “Gahayat”, “Enda Kewhi”, “Enda Harestay”, “Enda Misayl” and “Shndwa”, signifying the struggle’s relentless march towards independence. The front withheld non-stop heavy military offence from the enemy from February 1990 up to May 1991, the liberation of Eritrea. This front was used as a final frontier to completely destroy the enemy and ensure the inevitability of Eritrea’s independence.

What made the operation a victory against all odds was the mismatch between the two forces. On one side, you had the largest army in Africa, which was well-equipped with all types of weapons bought

at the expense of a starving people. The famine did not deter the enemy from arming its soldiers to the teeth to fight a long and bloody war. On the other side, you had Eritrean freedom fighters, few but tactical and determined.

Operation Fenkil took a good 59 hours to complete. The systematic coordination of ground troops and naval and mechanized units resulted in the surrender of 20,000 Derg soldiers, the destruction of two-third of a modern and well- equipped Derg military and the liberation of Massawa and Ghindae.

The resilient freedom fighters strode to the port with courage and determination. It was a time to no longer look back but to march forward; independence was within touching distance. The enemy did not know what hit them -- their tanks were dismantled and their ships sunk by the non-stop attack of Eritrea’s heroes. To the tegadelti (freedom fighters), an assault meant

the sacrifice of lives. If they had to attack the enemy, it should be done when success seemed assured, and the resultant victory was worth the cost.

I do believe that what the Ethiopian army learned at various battles fought against the Eritrean freedom fighters was that the tegadelti could manifest superhuman endurance if they wanted. I have seen many pictures of Fenkil Operation when the freedom fighters poured their sweat to preserve their blood -- sturdy youth carrying heavy logs up along the narrow roads of Sigalet Ketan in a place where the temperature runs up to 50 degrees at times.

The enemy moved accompanied by tanks, Stalin organs, migs and bags of lies and propaganda.

The Kitaw was supposed to punish the freedom fighters for their insolence, the Nebelbal were supposed to consume with a blazing fire those who resisted; the

Tewerwari was the panzer division or a deployment force. Alas, all disappeared in the hands of Sahel trained wonders, along with their bizarre names and funny ideas.

Resistance was the only Eritrean weapon that the enemy dreaded. What is the use of napalm and ten-barreled mortars if the one you are tackling knows how to resist? It is the resistance of the scorpion, which after an atomic blast in its surrounding continues to crawl stinging right and left.

Endurance, self-sacrifice and fortitude are commodities that are out of stock in this decadent world, but our tegadelti were made out of these traits. They proved it when they relentlessly defended Nakfa and Sahel. And in the battle to win Massawa, they redefined the art of war and made it their own creation.

A lot has been said about the endurance and fortitude of the Eritrean army in front of a superior

firepower and huge army, aided and supported by superpowers.

The enemy, coming from more verdant and guest-friendly terrain, thought it was fighting on two fronts: the people and the land.

The Ethiopian soldiers wore boots, ate canned food, had helicopters to take them to the nearest hospital or clinic when wounded, drank beer and had sweethearts (at the point of a gun) in every village or town under their control.

The freedom fighters wore thong sandals, ate weddi aker (sorghum mixed with weevils), mostly walked to the nearest FSU (Front Surgical Unit) on foot when wounded, drank contaminated water and eschewed all kinds of frivolities and easy life.

It was simply a bitter pill to swallow for the Derg soldiers that they would never henceforth defeat the Eritrean freedom forces. “What do they have that we don’t have?” shouted frustrated Mengistu. But nobody dared tell him that those boys and girls over there had endurance and fortitude in large quantity, something that he couldn’t obtain by traveling to the Soviet Union or East Germany. Massawa proved once and for all that independence was inevitable. When the Derg came to power in Ethiopia, Massawa and most part of Eritrea saw the harshest of colonial mistreatment. During that period two important events can be recalled, First Offence of Salina to liberate the port of Massawa in 1977 and the successful 1990 Operation Fenkil. Today the port city has monuments built to remember the two important and historical dates.

History has come to many places, has stayed awhile and, after its departure, has rendered those places famous. In Eritrea’s saga, perhaps no place has taken on greater historic importance than the Northern Red-Sea city of Massawa. There, during three winter days, February 8-11, 1990, the Derg’s fate was sealed. When the operation was over, Mengistu’s circle of trust was in disarray, ‘Operation Fenkil’ would forever hold a place in the minds of all Eritreans.


this week in Eritrea’s History• Operation Fenkil Facts include

that the EPLF forces launched the offensive from Shieb demolishing the 6th Division’s headquarters within 3 hrs and its deputy commander was captured. EPLF forces destroyed the 21st, 83rd, 112th, and 113th brigades in more than five hours.

• The Eritrean People’s Liberation Army smashed the 3rd, 27th, 29th Mechanized Brigades, 4th Tanks Brigade, 18th Infantry Division and additional 2 mechanized brigades and cut the Asmara-Massawa route at

Gahtelay. Rescue forces dispatched from Asmara & Forto were defeated at Dogali and Ghindae.

• On Feb 5, 1995, President Isaias Afwerki met with PM Shimon Peres and President Ezer Weizman of Israel. PM Peres planned to reciprocate by visiting Eritrea in Nov 1995 but the trip was canceled following the assassination of PM Rabin.

• On the night of February 8, 1990 EPLF forces launched a surprise attack on the Ethiopian

army to liberate the Port City of Massawa. A year earlier, EPLF built up its naval capabilities consisting of a small fleet of gun boats.

• Did you know that when Italy hoisted its flag in Massawa in 1885, Menilik II, King of Shoa, was in Cairo to negotiate access to port with Egyptians after their withdrawal from Massawa? He did not protest the occupation of Massawa?

sources: twitter.com/eritreanhistory

local newsI feel proud, but no more special

than my other comrades. I believe my best accomplishment in life is being part of this history, being able to participate in and capture it, and especially being able to tell the story to my children. My daughter once asked me if I ever thought I would one day watch the footages I shot with my children. I was amazed, but she is right; I never thought I would, but I did and I feel very lucky and grateful to have survived almost fifteen years of fighting.

Do you think the history all of you freedom fighters and your camera hold are being properly transferred to the new generation?

I think we have not done enough in this case. Nowadays, the youth are oriented to audiovisual effects than lectures. That is why we should use all the possible means, even social networking sites, to reach the youth and share all that we have with them.

What about in America, what activities do you do regarding the history you have witnessed and been part of?

To your surprise, we are not as active there either. We do conduct exhibitions in festivals. For example, I once printed some of the pictures and magazines printed during the armed struggle and put them for exhibit and we also created a separate section for freedom fighters’ exhibit, where we talked about our memories and it’s an effective kind of therapy for us. There is always a new story from the same battle. It is an endless story; I only got to capture my side

story, which is enough if they are told effectively. But one thing we all need to know is that in battles, firing at each other is not the only definition of war; living is also part of war. We fought to free our land and people, but at the same time we fought to survive.

Finally, if you would like to say anything to our readers or to the youth …

If you refer back to the history of the African colonization era, the colonizers’ tool of destruction was portraying the local people’s culture as harmful, backward and malicious and then presenting their ways and culture as the authentic and safe one. That way, many people lost their original taste of values and culture and began to adopt the Western style and consume Western goods and be dependent with no strong hold of their identity. I would like to remind everyone that neglecting your history is threatening your values and, hence, your identity and survival. There is a saying that goes, “To capture a society, you need to capture their mind.” If we use this principle wisely, we can manage to survive the psychological war the youth faces and stick to our identity. Our generation did enough to bring independence, but if we can’t pass our history to the next generation, it’s all pointless. So, work hard, keep going and always remember our values and live up to them. There are former fighters everywhere. So, please, no matter how simple they seem while laughing and joking around their work place, they are an untold living history. Take care of anyone in need and be courageous; that is my living and deceased comrades’ reward. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Fitsum.

Operation Fenkil: the . . .continued from page 8

The National Committee of Eritreans in the UK and the Eritrean community in Milan have conducted meetings on 2 February.

According to report, the National Committee of Eritreans in the UK conducted its 2nd congress in Coventry city under the theme “Integrated Effort for Unity and Development”.

At the meeting in which representatives of national organizations of 11 cities in the UK took part, Mr. Estifanos Habtemariam, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the UK and North Ireland gave briefing on the progress of diplomatic activities in the Horn of Africa after the signing of the peace agreement between Eritrea and Ethiopia as well as on the bilateral relations between the two countries. Ambassador Estifanos stated that various big development projects are being implemented with the objective of improving the socio-economic livelihood of citizens and

erItrean natIonals abroaDensuring social justice.

Noting that the Congress shoulders responsibility to reinforce contribution in the nation-building and development programs, strengthening public diplomacy activities and organizational capacity of Eritrean communities, Ambassador Estifanos called on the participants to chart out action plan that is compatible to the unfolding era of peace and cooperation.

Mr. Ahmed Mohammed, chairman of the Eritrean national committee in the UK on his part, pointing out the significance of conducting the 2nd congress in relation to the commitment in nation-building, commended those who contributed to the success of the congress.

At the event, the head of Public and Community Affairs, Mr. Tedros Goitom, gave briefing on the objective, mission, and organizational structure of the national committee and presented

five years activity report.Finally, the congress elected an

executive committee for two year term and adopted various resolutions and action plan for 2020.

Likewise, the Eritrean community branch in Milan conducted its annual meeting. The meeting was attended by the Head of Public and Community Affairs, Mr. Girmay Habtemichael, executive committees of the Eritrean communities in Italy, as well as members and executive communities of the Milan branch.

The objective of the meeting was to review the implementation of the planed programs in the past two years as well as to elect executive committee for the next two years.

Members of the elected executive committee have expressed readiness to diligently work for strengthening organizational capacity of the Eritrean community as well as reinforce contribution for the successful implementation of the national development programs.


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Place of Work: Bisha.Salary: As per Company salary scale.

Type of Contract: IndefiniteAdditional requirement for Nationals:

Having fulfilled his/her National Service obligation and provide evidence of release paper from the Ministry of Defense.Present clearance paper from current/last employer.Testimonial documents to be attached (CV, work experience credentials, a copy of your National Identity Card etc.).Only shortlisted applicants will be considered as potential candidates for an interview.Application documents will not be returned to sender.All applications should be sent through the post office.Deadline for application: 10 days from the day of publication in the Newspaper.

Address: Please mail your applications to;Bisha Mining Share Company,P. O. Box 4276 Asmara, EritreaNote to Eritrean applicants:Please send a copy of your application toAliens Employment permits Affairs,P. O. Box 7940 Asmara, Eritrea.

continued from page 6

VacancY . . .


Mr. Fitsum, thank you for your time. Please introduce yourself to our readers?

Sure, that is what I am here for. My name is Fitsum Ghebrai, I was born in Asmara and I joined the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) in 1977 when I was only 15 years old. To begin with, I was not a cameraman. I was just a student who lived off his family. Of course, I remember that I had interest in painting, but I didn’t have any knowledge about camera or shooting. My first experience of war was in 1977 in Massawa but it was after two years that I joined the combatant army as a barefoot doctor for my platoon, which I think was the most dangerous and demanding work in any battle. Thereafter, with the growth of the EPLF, the need for documenting became essential. That is why some of us were taken from the combatant divisions to the liberated areas to take courses on shooting motion pictures and photographing and became cameramen, some of us in 1980 and others in 1984. I remained a cameraman until 1991 and worked at the Ministry of information until 1995. I got married in 1992 and I am a father of three beautiful daughters. Now, I live in America and I am engaged in family business, here, in Eritrea.

What do you think was the reason for you to be selected for that task?

During the two years in the combatant army, I used to try painting using a red fruit plant, which we called HaQ and charcoal for black. In addition, I also

Operation Fenkil: the Final push towards independence

arranged programs in the cultural development section of the EPLF. So, I think my interest in art could have been one of the factors that had me selected.

You have been in many wars as a cameraman and a combatant. so, personally, what do you think makes Qbxet and Fenkil operation different?

After I took the courses, I did not have a specific unit but was dispatched to every battle. Fenkil is unique not only for me but for every fighter. It is different for many reasons -- the immensity and breadth of the war, the aridness of the weather, the unbalanced number of Ethiopian and our military. As a cameraman, I have taken many pictures but never got an opportunity such as that to document a battle. It was very productive and because the

pictures came out nice the closer you get to the scene; it was risky. We were always determined, but the determination we had in that time was unbelievable. Seeing how they threw themselves to the fire, I was wondering how a human being could accept death and fight so hard? So, Fenkil operation was a battle where the bravery of the Eritrean fighters was most powerful. The other side of what makes Fenkil different is the Ethiopian military’s approach. Usually, troops fight against troops, and it’s okay for there to be civilian causalities. But the bombardment of Massawa was the most inhumane act I have ever seen. The atrocity of the bombardment was so extreme that everyone thought, “This is it, it can’t get any worse.” Children’s and old men’s and women’s bodies cut into pieces, mothers trying to save their children and others waiting helplessly to die. But it

was also the battle in which we saw freedom coming our way, crystal clear.

How did you feel witnessing all that? Ever cried?

No, never. None of us did. We were very broken, but just held it in. I sometimes wondered if we even were humans, how come no one drops a single tear? But no, the rage just burned our hearts and turned to strength.

Back to your camera, what efforts did you make to preserve the pictures you shot in battles?

It’s true that every time I and my camera were at risk. But we had an efficient system of transferring the captured photos to the liberated areas. Messengers who brought food and other messages or we carried our cassettes back to the safe areas.

Have you ever lost or destroyed your cassettes?

Technically, I destroyed some of the cassettes in 1884 when we tried to liberate the northern east of Sahel and failed. We were surrounded and our only choice was to cross the battlefield. You see your comrades getting shot beside you, but you just run, some others also committed

suicide. That day, the cassettes I had were videos and photographs of important leaders in meetings; it would reveal all our secrets. That is why I just exposed the films and destroyed them.

You went to Massawa last week. How do you feel about Massawa now and when you were a cameraman?

The people of Massawa are very kind and welcoming. When we captured Massawa, the people shared everything with us. They fed and took care of us. I remember once, we had a comrade whose family lived in Massawa and so we went to visit. His mother was very delighted that she put together whatever she had and made food for us. In our culture, guests tend to eat less or something, but maybe it is because we had been away for so long, without second thought we ate all that was served and the woman was very happy and told us that she felt safe with us in Massawa. We could not protect her from bombs and bullets, but she still believed that we were her shield and no death would come near her. They had faith in their children and on my last visit I saw that they are as trusting and kind as ever. As a cameraman, for me Massawa is as attractive for a camera as it used to be, but in a different way. I shot war-torn and devastated Massawa in the past, but the beautiful Massawa now holds peace and beauty for a camera. As I went over all the places I have been before as a fighter, I got flashbacks and many other memories. The fact that we toured Massawa along with those left of our battalion also fascinated me most. Even though I was there in the same battle as my comrades, we all have our own side stories. While chatting, we were saying “I did this and this in this spot”. “Was it you?” “I was shooting from the other side?”… The conversation just went on.

You and your pictures are a living history for Eritrea. How do you feel about it?

Ruth Abraham

Most of the time soldiers are armed with different kinds of lethal weapons when they go to the battlefield. But you must have heard of patriots armed only with a camera who have managed to survive dangerous wars such as the Eritrean Fenkil Operation. Mr. Fitsum Ghebrai is a veteran freedom fighter and war photojournalist. We have invited him to our page today to see the side story of the man and his camera in the battlefields of the Eritrean armed struggle, especially the intense Massawa’s, bombardment, named Qbxet, by the Ethiopian regime in 1990.

continued on page 5Photo by Fitsum Ghebrai

Photo by Fitsum Ghebrai

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