(As told in the concluding paragraphs of the EPDP CC annual meeting communiqué below, the nine Executive Committee members re-elected to serve the party for another year are shown in picture above in alphabetical order. From upper left to right, they are: 1. Adiam Tefera, head of Women’s Affairs; 2.Aklilu Ghirmai/Dr., head of International Relations; 3.Debessai Beyene, head of Information Office; 4. Eritrea Alazar, head of Youth Affairs; 5. Fessehaye Hagos, head of Social Affairs; 6. Gherezghiher Tewelde, EPDP Chairman; 7.Goitom Mebrahtu, head of Organizational Affairs; 8. Idris Ismail, Secretary, and 9. Negasi Hamde, Financial Affairs). 

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The Central Council of the Eritrean People's Democratic Party (EPDP) held its annual regular meeting on August 16 and August 21, 2025, in accordance with Article 6.1.11 of the party's constitution. At the opening session, Party Chairman Gherezghiher Tewelde, hinted at our future struggles by noting that the meeting was taking place at a time when our people's deep concerns under the oppression of the PFDJ are intensifying, and our region being shaken by various crises and realignment of forces.

During the two-day meetings, the annual reports of the nine executive offices and the General Auditor of the party, which were circulated to participants in advance, were discussed one by one as the primary agenda. In its in-depth discussion and evaluation of the reports, the Council gave special attention to the following points:

• Expanding and strengthening organizational structures;
• Encouraging the young generation to fulfill their responsibilities as successors;
• Giving special consideration to international relations in light of the rapid regional and international changes;
• Emboldening the party's media outlets;
• Monitoring and documenting the issue of Eritrean refugees with additional studies; and
• Creating an environment that encourages women's participation.

Based on the reports approved for documentation after the discussion, the Council commended EPDP members for their steadfastness and dedication in strengthening their party in all aspects over the past year, as in previous times, and reiterated its confidence and encouragement for them to enhance their all-round contributions in the uphill struggle awaiting us.

The regular meeting also conducted an in-depth discussion on the broad topic of "The Current Situation of Our Country and Region." The resolutions listed below were adopted after comprehensive scrutiny of the developments affecting the country, the Eritrean opposition camp, and the region as a whole:

1. Eritrea and its people continue to suffer under the all-round oppression and the denial of all fundamental rights by the dictatorial regime. Even the tyrant leader himself repeatedly admits that Eritrea has become a village with a ruined economy, dilapidated infrastructure, destroyed public institutions, and weak transportation and communication networks. The PFDJ clique, far from addressing these alarming domestic issues, continues to commit additional violations and oppressive measures. Despite this reality, the meeting assessed that the regime at times makes failed attempts to project a “grand” and positive image it does not possess. These include its pretentions to have good relations with major powers, nowadays including the United States. Based on this sad situation, the meeting reiterated EPDP’s strong call to the Eritrean people and the forces of change to redouble and continue their struggle against the tyranny.
2. As part of the ongoing humanitarian violations in Eritrea is last month’s arrest of the administrator of the Gindae Quran school, Sheikh Adem Jabir Shaaban and his work colleague Shineti Hassen. This uncalled for incarceration deeply saddened the nation. Both peaceful citizens were arrested and taken to an unknown location. The EPDP Central Council therefore strongly condemns this tragic event, and calls on all conscientious Eritreans to demand the immediate release of Sheikh Adem Jabir Shaaban, Shineti Hassen, and other prisoners of conscience in regime prisons!

Alongside this tyrannical incident, the Central Council also seriously considered the much-talked-about issue related to the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahedo Church. As we all know, this same regime has previously taken land that belonged to the Church, forcibly sent to Sawa the Church’s public servants thus letting it suffer from a shortage of clergy, and detained until death Patriarch Abune Antonios. It is now pretending to be its protector by reportedly allowing the Church to build a chapel and undertake agricultural investments in the Tekreret region on land it seized from its very original owners.

The EPDP Central Council recognized that this opportunistic act is aimed at fueling social unrest rather than genuinely caring for church construction. Recalling that our people, both Muslims and Christians, have no objection to building churches or mosques; on the contrary, have the wisdom and tradition of cooperating to build places of worship for one another, even in diaspora. The Tekreret incident is an evil act intended to create conflict between the two faiths so that the regime can prolong its stay in power through its subtle tactic of divide and rule. The EPDP CC also emphasized that an illegitimate regime has no right to distribute public land in this manner. Some quarters are heard attempting to exploit this situation by portraying it as a conflict between Muslims and Christians; this is an irresponsible assumption and not acceptable. This kind of understanding is nothing but falling into the regime's. The EPDP therefore calls such forces to refrain from such dangerous assumptions.

3. The Ethiopian government has repeatedly and officially stated its intention to "gain access to the Red Sea by any means," a statement that incites aggression and violation of Eritrean sovereignty. Since this claim is unacceptable by historical, political, diplomatic standards, and above all international laws, the EPDP CC meeting affirmed its total rejection of such brazen claims. In connection with this, it once again calls for the respect of international laws and charters that protect the sovereignty of nations and govern usage of sea ports, in a manner that benefits both sides.
4. In the meantime, recognizing the importance of peaceful and developmental relations between peoples, the CC meeting reiterated its encouragement for a "people-to-people" relationship of peace and cooperation between the peoples of Eritrea and Ethiopia, based on the principled understanding stated in the EPDP's program of action adopted at its 4th congress that stated: "Our relations with neighboring countries can play a crucial role in our common development; therefore, it is necessary to work together for peace and economic growth by respecting each other's sovereignty and refraining from interference in each other's affairs."

For this relationship to be effective and sustainable, the Council reminded that both peoples must learn from past experiences and struggle to ensure that it is strengthened by the participation and consent of the peoples, has an institutional basis, and is not hijacked by certain groups for their narrow war-mongering whims. Although the "alliance" we are observing, and the temporary relief it seems to offer the people living on both sides of the border, appears to have no guarantee of continuity, the process is secretive and shows clear signs of being a political and military alliance based on animosity. We have no confidence that such an alliance, which has reached this point today, will be free from the hidden, conspiratorial moves of that same PFDJ in Asmara.

5. The Central Council assessed that the Eritrean opposition camp must not forget shouldering its responsibilities in the political crisis and shifting alignment of forces in the region and prepare itself to make effective contribution in handling them. Furthermore, the CC meeting underscored the role awaiting us in gathering our scattered human and material resources. Accordingly, the EPDP, while reaffirming its readiness to strengthen the Eritrean Political Forces (EPF), which is organized around four fundamental pillars, repeated its strong call for the formation of abroader umbrella of all Eritrean forces struggling for democratic change. The four pillars, which are widely acceptable, are:

• The overthrow of the PFDJ regime;
• The defense and preservation of Eritrean sovereignty;
• Safeguarding national unity plus guaranteeing civic liberties, and
• Establishing democratic governance in post-dictatorship Eritrea.

6. The meeting issued a call to countries around the world hosting Eritrean refugees, and humanitarian organizations such as the UNHCR, to provide all possible humanitarian protection for all Eritrean refugees in general, in particular at this moment for those struggling in Ethiopia.
7. Also after reviewing the tragic loss of life and wanton destruction of property caused by the two-year war in neighboring Sudan, and considering the risk of Sudan's disintegration, the meeting urged the warring Sudanese generals to end this devastating war and resolve their issues peacefully through dialogue, without handing over their affairs to external forces.

Finally, in accordance with Article 6.1.17 of the EPDP's constitution, outgoing chairman Gherezgiher Tewelde was re-elected to continue chairmanship for coming 12 months. Based on his nomination, other eight Executive Committee members who served him during the past year, were also unanimously approved by the Council to serve for another year. Following this, the meeting concluded with important recommendations tailored to the current challenges in the prolonged Eritrean struggle for democracy.

We struggle for constitutional governance, democracy, and development!

EPDP Central Council, August 22, 2025