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25.04.2012 Feature Article

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 23rd April 1993

THIS DAY IN HISTORY: 23rd April 1993
25.04.2012 LISTEN

The people of Eritrea, East Africa began voting in a three day United Nations (UN) monitored referendum in which they were asked whether they wanted Eritrea to be an independent and sovereign country. 99.83% voted for independence from Ethiopia.

Colonised by Italy in 1890, Eritrea was administered by Britain under a UN mandate after Italy lost its colonies during the second world war. In 1951 it was federated with Ethiopia.

Motivated by a desire to control and maintain access to the Red Sea, amongst other things, Ethiopia unilaterally annexed Eritrea as it's 14th province in 1952, sparking resistance and eventually a war for independence.

Eritrea was officially declared independent on 24th May 1993 with Isaias Afwerki, leader of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front, the organisation that had led the war for independence, becoming President.

The following is the first of two video clips on the Eritrean people's struggle for independence:

Amma Fosuah

"Always bear in mind that people are not fighting for ideas, for the things in anyone's head. They are fighting to win material benefits to live better and in peace, to see their lives go forward, to guarantee the future of their children." Amilcar Cabral

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