“One Hundred Seventy-five Countries Later, Eritrea: Vanquished Hegemonies, Quiet Resilience, and Green Resolve” Prof. Saleem H. Ali

Professor Saleem H. Ali shares his reflections on Eritrea’s unique architecture, religious harmony and environmental initiatives following his two-day visit, a fulfilment of his long-time dream. He received a doctorate in Environmental Planning from MIT, a Master’s degree in Environmental Studies from Yale University and Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry (summa cum laude) from Tufts University. He holds the Blue and Gold Distinguished Professorship in Energy and the Environment at the University of Delaware (USA) and is a member of the United Nations International Resource Panel. What sparked your interest in Eritrea? My curiosity about Eritrea began in high school during the peak of its war for independence from Ethiopia. The struggle portrayed in news outlets captivated me—how could such a small nation resist such overwhelming forces?

Later, during my university years, I heard the news of Eritrea’s independence in 1991, becoming a new UN-recognized country in 1993. I remember thinking, “This is a place I must visit someday. ” Over the years, I met Eritrean friends in Australia and the USA, particularly Dr. Fitsum G/ giorgis, whose deep affection for his homeland moved me. He spoke passionately about Eritrea’s diverse landscapes, its cool highlands, arid lowlands, and rich cultural mosaic. That only deepened my desire to see it firsthand. How would you describe your first impressions of Asmara? Asmara is unlike any African capital I’ve visited. The city is full of Art Deco architecture, a legacy of Italian colonialism but now distinctly Eritrean. Walking through its streets, you see pedestrian-friendly boulevards where cyclists and pedestrians dominate, rare in a continent where traffic congestion is the norm. The human-scale urban planning creates a charm that’s hard to…