Rediscovering ERITREA: A UN Resident Coordinator’s Testimony of Partnership, Potential, and Progress

By ALULA FREZGHI

In a world saturated with secondhand narratives, speculation, and geopolitical noise, there is something refreshing, even necessary, about hearing from those who have lived and worked inside a country, shoulder to shoulder with its people. Over the past two years, Nahla Valji, the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Eritrea, in an interview with NCEA’s National Public Diplomacy Group’s Eritrean Harmony Quarterly Magazine Vol. 4, Issue 3 Oct.-Dec. 2025 has offered precisely that: a grounded, firsthand account of a nation often spoken about, but rarely understood on its own terms.

Her reflections matter. They come from a senior representative of one of the world’s most influential multilateral institutions, someone whose career has spanned continents, crises, and development challenges. And yet, she describes her experience in Eritrea as “an incredible privilege” and “a real learning opportunity.” That alone should prompt bilateral partners, investors, and global institutions to take a closer look.

A Development Model Rooted in Ownership and Dignity

What emerges from her testimony is a portrait of a country whose development philosophy is neither accidental nor externally scripted. Eritrea’s emphasis on self‑reliance, long‑term thinking, and community responsibility is not a slogan, it is a lived national ethic. The UN Resident Coordinator notes that Eritrea’s approach to sustainability is deeply cultural: collective responsibility, social cohesion, and national ownership shape every layer of development.

This is precisely why the UN Country Team’s Cooperation Framework is fully aligned with Eritrea’s priorities. It is not a template imported from elsewhere. It is co‑created with national institutions, grounded in local realities, and designed to strengthen systems rather than replace them. From health and education to climate resilience, food security, and industrialization, the UN’s work in Eritrea is anchored in partnership, not prescription.

For investors and development partners, this matters. Stability, clarity of national vision, and strong institutional ownership are the foundations of sustainable investment.

A Country That Defies Assumptions

Before arriving, the Resident Coordinator already knew Eritrea as a nation shaped by sacrifice and equality, particularly the historic role of women in the liberation struggle. But living and working in the country deepened that understanding. She speaks of a people defined by pride, discipline, and a determination to chart their own sovereign path.

Her description of Eritrea is not abstract. It is textured, human, and rooted in daily experience: the strength of communities, the beauty of the landscape, the warmth of the culture, the unmistakable sense of national identity. For tourists, diaspora Eritreans, and international observers, this is a reminder that Eritrea is not merely a geopolitical space, it is a place of heritage, hospitality, and resilience.

Progress That Speaks for Itself

At the midpoint of the UN–Government Cooperation Framework, progress is visible across multiple sectors:

• Health and education systems strengthened
• Food systems and climate resilience advancing
• Data and institutional capacity improving
• New financing models emerging as Eritrea moves beyond traditional aid

These gains build on a track record that is often overlooked: Eritrea was one of the few African countries to successfully achieve several of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including major advances in health, education, and gender‑related indicators. This earlier achievement demonstrated the country’s ability to translate long‑term vision into measurable results, a signal that continues to resonate with development partners today.

On gender equality, the Resident Coordinator highlights achievements that many countries struggle to match: strong gains in girls’ education, community‑driven progress against harmful practices, and a national ethos that recognizes women as central to development. These are not external interventions; they are rooted in Eritrea’s own values.

A Clear Stance on Sovereignty and Sanctions

The UN’s position on unilateral coercive measures is unambiguous: measures not authorized by the Security Council raise serious concerns for multilateralism and can harm civilian populations. In Eritrea’s case, the UN continues to document impacts, advocate for dialogue, and remain guided by its Charter mandate, supporting development priorities and safeguarding humanitarian space.

This principled stance reinforces what many bilateral partners already know: Eritrea seeks cooperation, not dependency; partnership, not interference.

A Message to Those Watching Eritrea From Afar

The Resident Coordinator’s reflections close with messages to women, youth, and the diaspora but they resonate far beyond those groups. They speak to anyone evaluating Eritrea’s trajectory:

• To investors: Eritrea offers stability, clarity of purpose, and a disciplined workforce shaped by national values.
• To bilateral partners: Cooperation grounded in respect and alignment with national priorities yields results.
• To tourists: Eritrea is a country of beauty, culture, and authenticity.
• To the diaspora: You remain an essential bridge, your engagement amplifies Eritrea’s voice globally.

Seeing Is Believing

In an era where narratives often overshadow facts, this testimony from a senior UN representative is a reminder that Eritrea’s story is best understood through direct engagement. Her experience underscores what many who visit or work in Eritrea discover: a nation defined not by noise, but by quiet strength; not by dependency, but by dignity; not by rhetoric, but by results.

For those seeking a reliable partner, a stable investment environment, or simply a deeper understanding of a remarkable country Eritrea is calling.