John Kerry
Secretary of State
Washington, DC
May 27, 2014
On behalf of the American people, I welcome the opportunity to send my warmest wishes to the people of Eritrea on the 23rd anniversary of your independence which took place May 24.
Know that the government and people of the United States stand beside you in your continued search for the promise of a free, prosperous, and democratic Eritrea.
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EDITOR’S NOTE: Take notice that he sent no such congratulatory message last year or the years before.
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U.S. Relations With Eritrea
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BUREAU OF AFRICAN AFFAIRS
Fact Sheet
February 11, 2014
The United States established diplomatic relations with Eritrea in 1993, following its independence and separation from Ethiopia. The United States supported Eritrea’s independence, but ongoing government detention of political dissidents and others, the closure of the independent press, limits on civil liberties and Eritrea’s failure to accept a proposed U.S. Ambassador has strained U.S.-Eritrean relations. Eritrea’s authoritarian regime is controlled entirely by the president, who heads the sole political party, which has ruled the country since 1991. National elections have not taken place since 1991. Regionally, Eritrea has long-standing border disputes with Ethiopia and Djibouti that, in the past, turned violent. Eritrea remains subject to two UN Security Council sanctions resolutions.
U.S. interests in Eritrea include reconciling ongoing disputes with Ethiopia and Djibouti, urging progress toward a democratic political culture, citing and addressing human rights issues, promoting economic reform, and encouraging Eritrea to contribute to regional stability.
U.S. Assistance to Eritrea
At the Eritrean Government’s request, the United States no longer provides bilateral assistance to Eritrea. The United States has no military-to-military cooperation with Eritrea.
Bilateral Economic Relations
The Eritrean Government and ruling party control the economy. The United States and Eritrea have very little bilateral trade. Eritrea is a member of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, which has a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement with the United States.
Eritrea’s Membership in International Organizations
Eritrea and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank.
Bilateral Representation
There currently is no U.S. Ambassador to Eritrea; the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires is Sue Bremner. Other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department’s Key Officers List.
Eritrea maintains an embassy in the United States at 1708 New Hampshire Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20009 (tel. 202-319-1991), but does not currently have an Ambassador to the United States.
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