Italian NGOs surprised how wrong mainstream media is on Eritrea

Translated from Italian using online software

By Andrea Cosimin | Lagazzettadelserchio

They left on October 25, with a flight taken off from Rome, to Cairo, Egypt, and then to Asmara Airport, the capital of Eritrea, the destination of their trip.

An expedition funded by the Partecipazione & Sviluppo association, Bagni di Lucca's on-site management of asylum seekers in the area, led by Marcello Marchi, chairman of the Lucca-Massaua association A long bridge, featuring eight students from the Lucca schools, two of the geometry institutes and six of the agrarians, accompanied by Professor Franco Grossi.

Their stay in Eritrea lasted until November 5th. Here the boys could see with their own eyes, and touch with their hand, as they really live in one of those African countries that are often represented by international media as one of the places not to be visited despite the deep bond between our nation and Eritrea.

"Eritrea -commented Alessandro Ghionzoli, President of the Participation Association & Development - is described on various sites such as" North Korea of Africa ". But it's not like that. Of course, the situation is critical. The population is the victim of an embargo that lasts for fifteen years and the rulers are accused of supporting the Somali integralist militias. But we turned freely on the streets, without problems, seeing armed people in one circumstance and were alarmed when on Al Jazeera we learned the same day that there had been 28 deaths. The news was also reported in Italy, by authoritative newspapers such as the Republic and the Corriere della Sera, but then we discovered, with surprise, that it was a fake news ".

"We were there," continued Ghionzoli, "to see the situation with our eyes and understand." Although the Farnesina did not recommend visits to Eritrea, we are Italians and have a connection with this land. the largest in the world outside the country, with 1,300 pupils, and is the one that provides the best preparation throughout Eritrea. It is under the direct dependence of the Ministry of Education, but there is still no presidency, unfortunately. In our small way, then, we will try to make an appeal."

"We were there," continued Ghionzoli, "to see the situation with our eyes and understand." Although the Farnesina did not recommend our visits to Eritrea, we still went as we are Italian and have a connection with this land. In Asmara there is an Italian school that is the largest in the world outside the country, with 1,300 pupils, and is the one that provides the best preparation throughout Eritrea. It is located under the direct dependence of the Ministry of Public Education, but there is still no headmaster unfortunately. In our small way, therefore, we try to make an appeal."

Participation Development has decided, following this visit, to open its own headquarters in Eritrea, to Asmara, a guest in the premises made available by Club Bologna, an association of Eritreans who supported the struggle for independence of their people from abroad.

"Our association - said Ghionzoli - with the opening of the new headquarters, wants to propose development projects that are bilateral, Eritrean students need virtually everything, but they do not ask for money but only training courses. who can teach them a job. Asmara has a secretary of reference for our association. "

Upon arrival in Eritrea, Lucca's delegation, which also hosted Oriano Landucci and Donatella Buonriposi, was received by Kelati Tewelde of the Marine Resources Ministry of Eritrea.

"Eritrea is a beautiful land with a very high potential," said Ghionzoli. "From Massaua to Asmara there is a difference of 2,400 meters and many are the riches of the subsoil: oil, potassium. There are four different religions living together: from Islam to Catholics, to Coptic Christians and Protestants, but outside of these religions, however, they are not allowed anymore, but these four, in any case, live together in total peace: There is no drug in Eritrea and criminality, and the Eritrean women are beautiful. In the evening they go around alone and are dressed just like our women. "

"The Italians - finally concluded Ghionzoli - are well-seen, although there are now a few hundred, but many understand Italian and speak it." On the spot we could see the real problems of this beautiful land: first of all the embargo; Then the failure to respect, on the part of the neighboring Ethiopia, of the Treaty of Algiers establishing the borders with Eritrea."

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