“It was through our sacrifice that the sun fully shines,” a Yemeni poet once said. Celebrating our 18th Liberation day, a landmark event, this saying proves the Eritrean freedom fighters’ and people’s toil to achieve freedom from the brutal colonizing powers right.

Since so much has been said about Independence Day, it is better to look at our present situation now than looking back 18 years. The first step just after independence had required everyone’s courage. The 15 years of insuring our goals after independence were tougher than the 30 years struggle for independence. To show that this is not an exaggeration, I would like to mention how we reached here passing all those barriers.

Many opposed our reconstruction policy from the first year of independence. International organizations, like WFP and non governmental organizations repeatedly suggested that it is better to buy food than importing machineries with foreign currency. The suggestion, coming from the organizations that have the responsibility of agricultural development and food security of the world especially the third world, shows how much they are undermining us. These organizations are supposed to encourage the third world towards self sufficiency and permanent developmental works. Is their objective to help poor countries be self sufficient or hinder them and make them beggars? This is why many third world countries are looking for aid from the organizations in New York, Paris and others.

We are working for the success of development strategy on every aspect especially on agriculture and industry. Though limited, the strategy has its first positive result contrary to what has been suggested by the organizations. After 15 years they started to praise our policy. The conference held in Rome by the Food and Agricultural Organization proved this. They mentioned our policy on development as an example during the conference. As they witnessed, buying different modern machineries with all the money collected enabled us to have a progressive development and agricultural programs.

What is accomplished up to now is a great deal; but much more is yet remaining. This makes us work more. Miles of roads, health centers, schools, dams and water reservoirs have been constructed during the past 15 years. People almost all over the country are getting access to water and electricity. Modern agricultural technologies have been introduced. Factories have been established for processing the agricultural products that have been produced enough for local consumptions and export.

Above all, thousands of youths have been trained in different sectors that will insure continuity of development programs. To join the developed world, we are working for a strong infrastructure, modern technology, improving skills to combat and against poverty, illiteracy and disease.

Members of Eritrean Defense Forces have a play role in securing the country’s peace and fighting against our invaders.

Without bowing our heads to anyone, we are going to keep our policies and going to achieve our goals.
Translated by Selam Seyoum