Our listeners, it is now exactly seven o’clock on May 25, 1991
Here is a special broadcast prepared for this historic hour.
The heroic Eritrean liberation forces have defeated the Derg’s Second Army. Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, has been liberated. After one hundred years of colonial domination and thirty years of determined armed struggle, the people of Eritrea have achieved a historic victory. Last night, Asmara was freed.
With the exception of Assab, all major Eritrean cities that had been under enemy control have now been liberated.
The heroic Eritrean People’s Liberation Army (EPLA) launched a decisive offensive on the Dekemhare front at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 19. Through courage, discipline, and sacrifice, the People’s Army advanced rapidly across all fronts, destroying enemy strongholds that had been heavily fortified for more than a year. Within only six days, the final pillars of Ethiopian colonial rule in Eritrea collapsed.
At the beginning of the fighting, the enemy concentrated its elite divisions on the Dekemhare front and resisted fiercely. But the Eritrean liberation forces crushed the enemy brigades, liberated Dekemhare, cut the Asmara–Mendefera road at Shiket, and isolated enemy forces in the Saraye region. Many enemy troops were destroyed, captured, or forced to flee.
The Eritrean people have won.
To all Eritreans at home and abroad, congratulations on this long-awaited victory. To all who sacrificed and dreamed of this day for many years, this victory belongs to you.
Glory to the martyrs.
Victory to the masses.
Awet’Nhafash ✊🏻