Eritrean Awards

[oamotme]

Gentlemen,

In today's Arab News a brief entry:

"Prince Alwaleed bin Talal, chairman of Kingdom Holding Comopany, was rcently honored by Eritrea President Isaias Afewerki with the country's highest state medal. He was accorded Presidential Coat of Arms of the State of Eritrea, which is a first class decoration, on his visit to Asmara on the invitation of Afewerki."

The accompanying photograoph shows Waleed recieving a camel table piece!

The son of a friend of mine has recently completed a tour of duty as the British Ambassador in Eritrea and during his tour was unable to find any information concerning Eritrean awards and I think reasonably concluded that there were no official awards.

On looking at the Eritrean constitution, adopted July 1996, it states under Article 42, Powers and Duties of ther President, Section 16 "Confer honours and medals on citizens, residents and friends of Eritrea in consultation with relevant persons and institutions".

Thus there is an intention to have awards - perhaps these awards have yet to be instituted.

Waleed is known for his self promotion and has collected awards from all over the world in recognition of his wealth and potential investment in countries. Not so long ago he had a full page advertisement in the Arab News trumpeting his award of the Legion of Honour from France and the award illustrated was back to front! It may well be that the Eritrean award was a gift which has been translated into an award - who knows?

The only other reference I have been able to find concerning Eritrean awards concerns what appears to be academic achievement awards - see article below.

Kind regards,

Owain

News & Articles An award that motivates

By Efrem Habtetsion Jul 24, 2007, 7:00am

The Zagre and Sawa awards were given to students who scored full grades in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate Examination, and to Eritrean students who have successfully completed their studies abroad respectively, last Saturday, July 21, here in Asmara.

This year, 17 students, of which three females, who attended 12th grade in Warsay-Yikealo Secondary School in Sawa and who scored 4.0 GDP in the matriculation received a laptop computer and a medal from the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Osman Saleh. The winners of the award participated in the 19th round of the national service.

According to the organizer of the award, the laptop computers were provided by His Excellency, President Isaias Afewerki.

During the occasion, 17 Eritrean students from the Diaspora received the Sawa prize, a medal, from the Minister of Education Mr. Semere Rusom. The Sawa prize is given to Eritrean students who have successfully completed their secondary studies abroad.

The Chairman of the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students, Mr. Sultan Seid stated that the main objective of the Union is to train a versatile, responsible and dedicated youth. ?And so as to train a youth with such values, the Union has to focus on investing in education,? he said. The Chairman also underlined that Eritrean youths and students who have completed their education in the Diaspora should augment their contribution in the national development endeavors.

The Zagre and Sawa awards were given at the presence of ministers, PFDJ officials, parents and invited guests. The awarding ceremony featured different entertainment activities by the NUEYS Wari Children?s Cultural Group and singer Wedi Tkabo. The Zagre award started in 1998, with a medal and a 4,000 Nakfa cash prize. However, beginning last year, the award has been a laptop computer and a medal.

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