Natnael Tesfatsion, a member of the American Team Lidl Trek, emerged as the winner of the Eritrean Cycling Championship 2024. Natnael completed the 173.4 km race in 4 hours, 7 minutes, and 52 seconds, securing the Gold Medal.

Aklilu Arefaine, a member of the Belgian Team Wanty-ReUz-Technord, and Metkel Eyob, a member of the Malaysian Terengganu Cycling Team, won second and third place respectively.

Professional riders Merhawi Kudus, Biniam Girmay, and Henok Mulubrhan finished in fourth, fifth, and sixth place respectively.

In the Under 23 category, Aklilu Arefaine, his teammate Mewael Girmay, and Yafet Mulugeta from Team Eri-Tel secured first, second, and third place.

In the females’ elite category, Ksanet Woldemicael from Sorair-Sawa won first place, while Adiam Dawit from Denden Club and Romna Gu’ush from Denden Club claimed second and third place respectively.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

The 61st anniversary of the establishment of the African Unity, now known as the African Union, was commemorated at Asmara Palace Hotel on 14 June. The event was attended by senior Government and PFDJ officials, Ambassadors, members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives of UN organizations in Eritrea, and other guests.

The program was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Eritrea and the Embassies of African countries in Eritrea.

Mr. Osman Saleh, Minister of Foreign Affairs, highlighted that 2024 marks six decades since the foundation of the Organization of African Unity and two decades since the establishment of the African Union. Minister Osman Saleh emphasized that this day is significant as Africans on the continent and worldwide come together to celebrate Africa Day, the continent’s most opportune event.

Minister Osman noted that African problems can only be addressed by Africans. However, he mentioned that Africa often relies on foreign aid and assistance. He stressed that this day should remind us of the necessity to work together to build a strong and self-sufficient African Union capable of driving its development.

Mr. Percy Kumsha, Ambassador of the Republic of South Africa in Eritrea, acknowledged that African countries face challenges such as poverty, inequality, climate change, and political instability. However, he also pointed out that Africa has immense opportunities in technology, renewable energy, and youth empowerment and that effort should continue towards a prosperous and united Africa.

The Organization of African Unity was established in 1963 and transformed into the African Union in 2002.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

A cultural program in connection with Martyrs Day, 20 June, was organized by artists at Cinema Roma on 15 June under the theme “Our Arts to Our Martyrs”. The event was coordinated by the Commission of Culture and Sports and was participated in by veterans and young artists.

The objective of the program was to remember the martyrs who paid their precious lives for their people and country and to renew the pledge to live up to the expectations of the martyrs.

In related news, a tree planting program in connection with Martyrs Day is being carried out in the port city of Massawa. The program was attended by residents of the city, Government employees, and students. The program, which commenced at the beginning of June, included the cultivation of trees at the Martyrs Cemetery in Kutmia, as well as in the areas of Segalet Qetan, Idaga, Salina plain, and Adis-Alem.

Indicating that the tree planting initiative, conducted since 2021 at educational institutions, religious sites, individual homes, and entertainment centers, has yielded commendable results, Mr. Haile Asfaha, Mayor of the port city of Massawa, stated that the day is a reminder for every citizen to respond practically to the Martyrs Trust. He also called for the sustainability of the program.

Similarly, sportspeople in Mai-Mine sub-zone conducted a popular campaign in connection with Martyrs Day at the Martyrs Cemetery in their area. A blood donation program was also conducted in Mendefera sub-zone, organized by the National Voluntary Blood Donors Association.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Information, Eritrea.

Ghana’s President Nana Akufo-Addo said the war in Ukraine has negatively affected the economies of African countries and caused high inflation.

Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said that the war in Ukraine has an impact on Africa, as it has affected African economies, living standards, and high inflation. Ghana is interested in participating in efforts to find a solution to end the war. Akufo-Addo said this at the end of the Global Peace Summit, UNN reports.

We are against this idea of colonialism, of domination in the world, but in this context we look at Russian aggression in Ukraine. The consequences of this aggression go far beyond the conflict. Africa became an accidental victim of this conflict, supply chains were disrupted. This has had a terrible impact on our economies, on living standards, on high inflation. Food prices have skyrocketed and these are some of the consequences of the invasion and so we have an interest in participating in efforts to find a solution to this conflict. A solution to the conflict must be based on a comprehensive, just, lasting peace based on the principles of international law and the UN Charter.

Akufo-Addo said.

He added that it is necessary to find ways to engage Russia and China in the process of ending the war.

Recall

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at the second plenary session of the Global Peace Summit, said that the participants made the right choice, the choice of two security and one humanitarian item, to start moving towards restoring full security and a just peace. The dialogue has taken place and it is clear that it can have very practical consequences.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency, Republic of Ghana.