U.S. envoy affirms respect for Eritrea’s sovereignty and borders

U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Christine E. Meyer affirmed Washington’s respect for Eritrea’s sovereignty and agreed-upon borders on September 2 in a personal message reflecting on her summer in Asmara and what she plans to tell Americans about the country.

Meyer said Eritrea remained relatively unknown to many Americans and that she would tell friends, family and colleagues it achieved independence more than 35 years ago. “All nations should respect Eritrea’s sovereignty and agreed-upon borders as the United States does,” she wrote in the Facebook post.

She also reflected on a busy summer in Asmara, including diaspora visitors, zigni, gelato and the sound of church bells alongside the Muslim call to prayer. Meyer said she expected to return later in September and looked forward to Meskel.

The remarks followed a September 1 embassy message marking the 65th anniversary of the start of Eritrea’s armed struggle for independence. Referencing America’s 250th anniversary, the embassy described the countries’ revolutionary roots as “a shared experience between our two peoples.”