Asmara June 20, 2009: In commemoration of Eritrean Martyrs day, June 20th, PIA laid a reef of flowers, and delivered a brief speech. The occasion also included songs and poems in honor of the fallen heroes.

The Speech in Tigrigna The Speech in Arabic View Photo Gallery

Ladies and Gentlemen,

On the occasion of this auspicious day, I say to the nation’s martyrs: Eternal Glory to you as our ever-lasting pride and the inspiration of our existence! I also wish to express my sincere congratulations to the Eritrean people inside the country and abroad who stage candle lit vigils each year renewing their pledge to honor the trust of martyrs.

The development endeavors we undertake and the progress that we register so as to not only ensure a sovereign nation which succeeding generations are proud of, but also build Eritrea into a Homeland where they lead a secure and prosperous life, constitute the yardstick of our pledge.

As there is no substitute for laying solid foundation to guarantee sustainable progress that is not measured by the changes witnessed each year, we have managed to carry out demanding yet reliable tasks over the past 18 years in the face of numerous challenges and hostilities.

Although it is obvious that the progress of our development endeavors involve a number of factors, the yardstick that we employ above anything else is that of ensuring food security.

It is difficult to assert that short of being in a position to feed themselves on the basis of internal resources and capacity, any people living even in those resource-rich nations would not achieve integrated economic growth and stability. Indeed, a people who fail to put in place an effective infrastructural groundwork for various sectors through one’s own know-how, competence and institutional capacity cannot at all attain meaningful growth, as compared to reliance on external debt. Development plans that do not lay an educational foundation for durable human resource development in the domains of skilled scientific and professional manpower are but short-lived. It is equally difficult to talk about meaningful health services in any country without the prevalence of real change in the quality of life of the people.

The meaning of our pledge to the martyrs and the goals for the realization of which they laid down their precious lives is measured by the benchmarks I have just outlined. However, material yardsticks alone cannot portray the full picture. It is not possible to achieve an effective and sustainable development in the absence of a people who are aware of and bear their responsibility; generations aware of and bear their responsibilities; the ones that value and honor their freedom and sovereignty; as well as those that recognize the meaning of sacrifice and the values it embodies. What’s more, it is impossible to ensure an effective and durable development short of a people and generations that champion the values of "selflessness and giving priority to the people above anything else, and pursue long-term goals"- in the same manner as our martyrs had demonstrated in exemplary deeds. And seeing to it that these cherished values become an ever-alive and renewable asset and one worthy of bequeathing to generations. 

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we commemorate Martyrs Day 2009, let us renew our pledge to step up the work programs we are currently engaged in so that this auspicious occasion may provide us the impetus to attain the highest level of progress.   

Wishing all a promising rainy season,
Glory to our Martyrs!
Victory to the Masses!