Eritrea: The Struggle Is Long, and Victory Is Certain

Our guest today is Amanuel Biedemariam. He is an author and social media activist. Amanuel dreamed of being a professional football player in Asmara. However, he fled Eritrea in the late 1970s due to war. He eventually settled in the United States.

Now living in Washington, DC, Amanuel is active in the Eritrean diaspora community. He wrote "The History of the USA in Eritrea" and recently published his second book, "Eritrea: The Struggle is Long, and Victory is Certain." He has also written many articles to empower Eritrean communities.

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What inspired you to write your second book?

It reflects the collective journey of the Eritrean people. We have organized many initiatives in the diaspora, including demonstrations and campaigns for Eritrea. I wanted to document these efforts and understand how Eritreans migrated worldwide. My research traced their journey back to 1941 when Italians were defeated by the British.

I learned about America's post-World War II agenda regarding Africa. What began as a chapter turned into my first book, "The History of the USA in Eritrea." I compiled declassified information for young Eritreans to help them understand their history.

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While researching, I discovered so much that I shifted focus from refugee stories to our broader narrative.

What do you hope to achieve through this book?

Our story isn't widely known globally. I want every university to have a copy of our perspective. It's important for government representatives and lawmakers who judge Eritrea superficially to understand its history and context. I hope Eritreans will help distribute these books worldwide so that our true story is recognized.

Enemies often undermine history to weaken us. We must tell our story positively to counter negativity.

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In today's world, narratives shape perceptions. How can Eritreans at home and abroad control their own story?

We are well-organized but need better community organization for media creation and financial institutions. Our collective voice can become powerful with proper structure.

What advice would you give young Eritreans in the diaspora about protecting their identity?

We need more engaging programs focused on our culture for youth appeal. Artistic works like music and drama can help promote this culture. Young people should develop their own content instead of consuming foreign products.

Eritrea holds strong political, financial, economic, military, and security positions now is a great time for media development.

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Books or documentaries on legendary figures aren't common in Eritrea. What are your thoughts on this?

Many accomplished individuals are too modest about sharing their achievements in Eritrea's history. They should tell their stories from their perspectives and start writing them down.

We need to encourage storytelling not only in Tigrinya but also in English.

Do you plan further engagement with Eritrean communities regarding your book's subject matter?

Writing inspires others to write as well; I've received messages inviting me for discussions on various topics through social media. While I'm currently doing this informally, we need a formal network for support.

For example, we could edit each other's work and grow together as a community while institutionalizing our relationships for better support.