AGP Executive Report

UN Charter Push: Zimbabwe’s foreign minister says the country will use its UN Security Council seat to defend the UN Charter and back international peace efforts. Regional Conflict Warning: A new Global Peace Index report links record conflict levels to economic fallout and faster, harder-to-govern warfare driven by drones and AI. Red Sea Tensions: Iran-backed Houthis vow to blockade “enemy ships” and declare a ban on Israeli navigation in the Red Sea, raising fears for one of the world’s key shipping corridors. Aviation Costs: IATA flags Nigeria and other African states for high operating costs and blocked airline revenues, with Eritrea listed among countries holding trapped funds. Eritrea in Focus: Asmara Marathon 2026 crowns Nahom Ermias champion; and the National Insurance Corporation of Eritrea reports 2025 revenue and dividend payouts at its annual shareholders meeting. Local Training: Gash Barka agriculture officials receive training on material and financial management to boost productivity. Human Rights Watch: Amnesty says Cambodia’s anti-scam crackdown largely bypassed scam compounds and left victims without adequate protection.

Red Sea Tensions: Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen vowed a “complete ban” on Israeli navigation in the Red Sea and warned any Israeli movement would be treated as a military target, escalating pressure on Bab el-Mandeb and the wider regional shipping corridor. Eritrean Sports Spotlight: Athlete Nahom Ermias won the Asmara Marathon 2026, finishing in 2:16:22, with Olympians Okbe Kibrom and Okbai Tsegay taking second and third; the event also drew athletes from South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya. Local Development & Health: The Ministry of Information completed two months of photography and video production training for media personnel and partner institutions, while in the Southern Region eye surgery campaigns delivered cataract operations to hundreds and reported a major decline in trachoma prevalence. Business & Insurance: Eritrea’s National Insurance Corporation (NICE) held its annual shareholders meeting, reporting 321 million Nakfa in 2025 general insurance revenue and 83 million Nakfa paid out as dividends. Water Crisis: A report highlights how Asmara’s water shortage has worsened since March, with fuel disruptions affecting tanker deliveries and residents increasingly relying on alternative water transport. Regional Politics: Ethiopia’s push for Red Sea access ahead of elections continues, with claims framed as necessary for regional stability and development. Global Watch: UNDP and partners handed over 72 computers to South Sudan government institutions to support planning and accountability.

Asmara Sports: Athlete Nahom Ermias won the Asmara Marathon 2026 in 2:16:22, with Olympians Okbe Kibrom and Okbai Tsegay taking second and third; Nazareth Woldu led the women’s half marathon, while Paralympics racers also claimed top spots as athletes from Eritrea, South Sudan, Uganda and Kenya competed. Local Economy & Services: The National Insurance Corporation of Eritrea (NICE) held its annual shareholders meeting in Asmara, reporting 321 million Nakfa in 2025 general insurance revenue and 83 million Nakfa paid out as dividends, alongside updates on rising group life insurance. Health & Access: In the Southern Region, eye surgery for cataract cases reached 548 patients across seven sub-zones as part of a blindness-control campaign, with officials citing progress against trachoma. Water Crisis: Asmara’s water shortage remains severe, with worsening delivery linked to fuel constraints and unreliable tanker operations, pushing residents toward alternative water-carrying methods. Regional Politics: Ethiopia’s June 1 election and renewed tensions in Tigray dominated wider Horn-of-Africa coverage, including reports of a deadly drone strike near the Eritrea border. Opinion & Governance: A new commentary argues Eritrea’s political debate is trapped in a “regime vs opposition” binary, calling for a different political imagination.

Kenya–Lesotho Football: Harambee Stars bounced back after a 1-1 draw, smashing Lesotho 4-0 in a June friendly in South Africa, with coach Benni McCarthy rotating the squad ahead of 2027 AFCON qualifiers where Eritrea is in their group. Eritrea in International Spotlight: Eritrea’s National Insurance Corporation (NICE) held its annual shareholders meeting in Asmara, reporting 321 million Nakfa in 2025 general insurance revenue and 83 million Nakfa paid out as dividends. Water Crisis at Home: A new report highlights how Asmara’s water shortage has deepened since March, with fuel disruptions hitting tanker deliveries and residents increasingly relying on alternative water transport. Health and Training: Eritrea’s Ministry of Information completed a two-month photography and video production training for media staff, while Southern Region eye campaigns delivered cataract surgeries to hundreds and expanded local treatment capacity. Eritrea–Horn of Africa Context: UN and regional coverage continues to track instability around Ethiopia’s election and renewed tensions in Tigray, including reports of a deadly drone strike near the Eritrea border.

US Immigration Ruling: A US federal judge struck down Trump-era immigration policies that had blocked asylum, work permits, green cards, and citizenship decisions for people from 39 countries, leaving many in legal limbo; the ruling is a major setback for the administration’s broader crackdown. Eritrea’s Water Crisis: Asmara’s water shortage is worsening again, with fuel disruptions hitting tanker deliveries and residents increasingly relying on water carts and other makeshift methods. NICE Update: The National Insurance Corporation of Eritrea (NICE) held its annual shareholders meeting in Asmara, reporting 321 million Nakfa in 2025 revenue and 83 million Nakfa paid out as dividends. Regional Security Watch: Ethiopia’s Tigray region faced a deadly drone strike near Shiraro, with dissident authorities accusing the federal government of escalating tensions. Health & Services: Eye surgery campaigns in Eritrea’s Southern Region treated hundreds for cataracts, supporting efforts to reduce preventable blindness. UN & Diplomacy: The UN condemned attacks and threats against its staff in Libya after anti-migrant protests targeted UN offices.

UN Condemns Libya Attacks: The UN strongly condemned attacks and threats against its staff and facilities in Tripoli after anti-migrant protests blocked access to UNHCR offices, with officials rejecting claims that the UN runs resettlement in Libya. US Immigration Ruling: A US federal judge struck down Trump-era policies that paused asylum and other immigration benefit decisions for people from 39 “high-risk” countries, saying the delays were unlawful and left applicants in legal limbo. Eritrea in the Spotlight at UNICEF: UNICEF’s Executive Board delegation met Eritrea’s permanent representative and discussed strengthening child protections, including measures to prevent violence and address child malnutrition. Eritrea’s Media Skills Boost: Eritrea’s Ministry of Information completed two months of photography and video production training for staff and partner institutions, with certificates awarded at the June 4 wrap-up. Southern Region Eye Care: In Mendefera, cataract surgery was carried out for 548 patients across seven sub-zones as part of a blindness-control campaign, with officials citing progress against trachoma. Asmara Water Woes: A new report says Asmara’s water shortage has worsened since March, with fuel disruptions hitting tanker deliveries and residents increasingly relying on water carts and donkeys. World Cup Money Touches Eritrea: FIFA says clubs with World Cup players will earn about $5,000 per day from a $355m fund, but Eritrea is listed among the countries not taking part in qualifying. Independence Celebrations Abroad: Eritrean nationals in Australia marked the 35th Independence Day with community events, speeches on resilience and unity, and recognition for football players.

World Cup Finance: FIFA says clubs with players picked for the 48-team 2026 World Cup will receive about $5,000 per day from a $355m fund, including for the first time clubs whose players were called up for qualifying games; Eritrea is noted as not taking part. UN & Humanitarian: A UNICEF Executive Board delegation met Eritrea’s UN representative in Geneva, discussing child protection, violence prevention, and child malnutrition, with emphasis on implementation. Eritrea Water Crisis: A new report highlights worsening water shortages in Asmara since March, tied to fuel disruptions and unreliable tanker delivery, pushing residents toward costly water carts. Health & Training: Southern Region eye campaigns report cataract surgeries for hundreds and a decline in trachoma; meanwhile Eritrea’s Ministry of Information ran photography and video production training for media staff. Education & Skills: The National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students’ Sawa branch delivered three months of vocational training to 400+ college students, including sign language, solar installation, and computer skills. UN Governance: Eritrea was elected to the UN Economic and Social Council for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2027.

World Cup Finance: FIFA says clubs with players picked for the 48-team tournament will receive about $5,000 per day from a $355m fund, and for the first time clubs tied to qualifying games will also be paid. Human Rights & Governance: Former CTA President Lobsang Sangay told the Oslo Freedom Forum that pro-democracy movements often remove dictators but struggle to build working democratic alternatives afterward. Health & Community Mobilization: A UK woman’s campaign to save her mother’s life helped drive a 1,600% surge in Black stem cell donor sign-ups, as charities warn minority patients face harder matching. Eritrea Education & Skills: In Asmara, the National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students’ Sawa and Higher Education branch delivered three months of vocational training to 400+ college students, including sign language, solar installation, computer and electronics skills. International Spotlight: Eritrea also appears in UN ECOSOC election results, with Eritrea among 17 states elected for a three-year term starting 2027.

Eritrea Education & Skills: The National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students’ Sawa branch says it has completed three months of vocational training for 400+ college students, including sign language, solar installation, computer and electronics, satellite dish work, graphics, and additional engineering modules, with Eritrean Police also delivering computer maintenance training. Eritrea International Spotlight: Eritrea’s delegation, led by Ambassador Petros Tsegay, took part in Moscow’s International Security Forum, discussing countering neocolonialism, cybersecurity, terrorism and transnational crime, and meeting partners on security cooperation. Eritrea Community Life: Eritrean nationals in Australia marked the 35th Independence Day anniversary with events in multiple cities, where officials urged unity and passing values to the youth. Eritrea Exams: The 2025/2026 eighth-grade national examination began June 3 and runs to June 5, with 68,197 students at 535 centers nationwide and in Eritrean community schools abroad. Regional Context: UN members elected 17 states—including Eritrea—into ECOSOC for a three-year term starting Jan. 1, 2027.

Eritrea-Ethiopia Region: EEPA reports dozens of Orthodox Christians killed in Oromia, with armed attacks also burning hundreds of homes—another grim reminder of how election-era violence is spilling into daily life. Ethiopia Election Fallout: Voting was extended in some areas but disrupted in Oromia and Amhara, with 143 polling stations closing early; Tigray saw no voting at all, as tensions and armed incidents continue to shape who gets a say. Eritrea in the Spotlight: Eritrean students begin the 2025/26 eighth-grade national exam today, running until 5 June, with centers also in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Kassala. International Travel & Consular Pressure: A UK Foreign Office “do not travel” list highlights how travel insurance and consular support can be affected when governments warn against destinations, with Eritrea mentioned among countries facing wider diplomatic and visa-service scrutiny. Public Safety: Eritrean-linked reporting from abroad also flags fire-safety and licensing violations at B&Bs in Hauz Rani after a deadly blaze.

Eritrea Education: The 2025/2026 eighth-grade national examination started across Eritrea and in Eritrean community schools in Riyadh and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, plus a center in Kassala, Sudan. Eritrea Health: Eritrea’s Ministry of Health says integrated steps are underway to control Ebola risk, including airport temperature screening, public information, and lab readiness, with guidance issued to Eritreans in Uganda and South Sudan. Eritrea Diplomacy: An Eritrean delegation led by Ambassador Petros Tsegay took part in Moscow’s first International Security Forum, discussing cooperation on cybersecurity, anti-terror efforts, and critical information protection. Eritrea Culture: A feature highlights how Eritrea’s place names carry shared memory and identity, spotlighting Asmara’s “unity” meaning and its origin story. Horn of Africa Watch: Ethiopia’s election is underway amid unrest, with voting suspended in parts of Tigray and some areas of Amhara and Oromia, raising fresh concerns about stability.

Eritrea Spotlight: A new Eritrea-focused piece highlights how place names carry shared memory and identity, spotlighting Asmara’s “Unity” meaning and the story behind its name. Ebola Preparedness: Eritrea’s Ministry of Health says it has launched integrated measures to control Ebola risk, including a national task force, airport temperature screening, public information campaigns, and lab readiness, urging Eritreans in Uganda and South Sudan to follow local guidance. Diplomacy & Security: An Eritrean delegation led by Ambassador Petros Tsegay took part in Moscow’s International Security Forum, discussing countering neocolonialism, cybersecurity, terrorism, and cooperation opportunities. Horn of Africa Watch: Ethiopia’s June 1 election is underway amid unrest, with voting suspended in parts of Tigray and disrupted in Amhara and Oromia, while Abiy Ahmed frames the vote as a legitimacy reset. Regional Context: Egypt condemned Somaliland’s planned embassy opening in Jerusalem, calling it a breach of international law and linking the move to Red Sea influence concerns.

Eritrea Health Watch: Eritrea’s Ministry of Health says it has launched integrated measures to control Ebola risk, including a national task force, public information campaigns, airport temperature screening, passenger questioning, and strengthened laboratory capacity, urging Eritreans in Uganda and South Sudan to follow local guidelines and those in the DRC to avoid highly affected areas. Security & Diplomacy: An Eritrean delegation led by Ambassador Petros Tsegay took part in Moscow’s first International Security Forum, discussing countering neocolonialism, cybersecurity, terrorism and transnational crime, and meeting institutions on cooperation prospects. Regional Politics: Ethiopia’s June 1 parliamentary vote is underway and vote counting has begun, but elections were suspended in parts of Oromia and Amhara and not held in Tigray, with security disruptions reported and results expected within days. Sports (Horn of Africa): Kenya’s Harambee Stars have revised their June FIFA friendly plans against Lesotho in Pretoria as they prepare for 2027 AFCON qualifiers, with several new call-ups named.

Ethiopia Election Update: Voting and counting are underway in Ethiopia’s 7th general election, with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s Prosperity Party widely expected to secure another five-year term, but the process is marred by unrest and exclusions—Tigray has no voting, while Amhara and Oromia saw disruptions and polling stations not opening due to security concerns. Horn of Africa Security: A new warning from the ground-level reality in Tigray points to a fragile postwar landscape, with war damage and a growing shadow economy raising fears of renewed conflict. Eritrea in the Region: Kenya’s Harambee Stars are set for an international friendly against Lesotho, with Eritrea listed in their 2027 AFCON qualifying group—keeping regional football ties in focus for Eritrean fans. Weather Watch: The World Meteorological Organization says El Niño conditions are developing, with an 80% chance between June and August 2026, likely affecting rainfall patterns across eastern and southern Africa. German Citizenship Survey: A survey finds most new German citizens keep their original nationality, noting countries that generally prohibit dual citizenship include Eritrea. Press Freedom Lens: The WAN-IFRA Golden Pen of Freedom is set to honor Gaza’s photo and video journalists for reporting from a war zone.

Eritrea Independence Anniversary: Eritreans marked the 35th anniversary with renewed pride, highlighting post-independence rebuilding and gains in health, education, infrastructure and agriculture, even as critics note the gap between outside portrayals and on-the-ground progress. Ethiopia Election Fallout: Ethiopia’s June 1 parliamentary vote is widely expected to keep Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his Prosperity Party in power, but voting was shut down in Tigray and disrupted in other regions amid insecurity, with observers warning the process lacks full competitiveness and faces restrictions on press and opposition. Horn of Africa Tensions: Egypt condemned Somaliland’s plan to open an embassy in Jerusalem, framing it as a breach of international law and linking the move to wider regional power struggles near the Red Sea—an issue that also intersects with Eritrea-Ethiopia dynamics. Red Sea Security: A report warns that Houthi rearmament continues through an Iranian-linked supply chain, raising fears that attacks may persist despite ceasefire talk. Press Freedom Snapshot: A global press freedom map shows worsening conditions worldwide, with most countries now rated “difficult” or “very serious,” underscoring the pressure on journalists across the region.

Ethiopia Election Watch: Voting began across Ethiopia for the 7th general election, with more than 50 million registered voters and the ruling Prosperity Party widely expected to win a landslide, while unrest and restrictions shadow the process. Tigray Exclusion: No election is held in northern Tigray due to “unfavourable conditions” after the 2020–2022 war, and some polling sites in Amhara and Oromia are disrupted or closed over security concerns. Press and Civic Space: Ahead of the vote, journalists faced tighter access rules and critics say political freedoms and opposition competitiveness remain limited. Horn of Africa Context: An EU/UN-style situation report highlights election-day violence, including an attack on a bus in Oromia that killed passengers, underscoring how conflict shapes turnout and legitimacy. Eritrea Spotlight: Eritrea’s Independence Day coverage and commentary continue to draw attention, alongside regional debate over Eritrea’s role in Horn politics. Asmara Sports: Asmara Marathon 2026 is set for 7 June, with new events including a first-time 21 km women’s race and competitions for disabled athletes.