Mr. Girma Asmerom, Eritrea’s Ambassador to the United States, is returning back to Eritrea as soon as the accreditation of his replacement, Mr. Girmai Gebremariam (“Santim”) is approved.

As of the end this month, Girma Asmerom will have been in the United States for exactly five years.  Girma replaced Mr. Semere Reesom, in April 2001.

A former footballer for the national Olympic team of Ethiopia, Girma Asmerom also served as Eritrea’s ambassador to Ethiopia during the year immediately preceding and following the breakout of the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia.  He leaves the United States when the relationship between the US and Eritrea is at its nadir.  This was despite the fact that Eritrea spent up to $50,000 a month on lobbyists who were supposed to persuade legislators to provide an ultimatum to the Ethiopian government to fully comply with the border ruling.

Eritrea has nothing to show for the lobbying effort and the Isaias Afwerki regime regularly accuses the US State Department of showing favoritism to Ethiopia’s Meles Zenawi. 

Girma Asmerom has an ability to meld into his surroundings and tell his listeners what they want to hear.   In December 2003, Ms. Aster Yohannes (who is the wife of Mr. Petros Solomon of G-15 fame) had completed her studies in the United States and wanted assurances that no harm befall her when she returned to Eritrea.  Mr. Girma Asmerom was one of the “guarantors” that nothing would happen: she was arrested upon arrival at Asmara International Airport, while her children awaited with flowers.  She hasn’t been heard of since.

A similar attempt was made by Girma Asmerom to “guarantee” the safety of Mr. Mesfin Hagos, founder of the exiled Eritrean Democratic Party, who had enough knowledge of the system not to take the offer.

The incoming ambassador, Girmai “Santim” Gebremariam, is also a veteran of the PFDJ regime whose background includes ambassadorship to England, Australia and Greece.   Girmai owes his nickname to his diminutive stature.   A product of the system, Girmai is not expected to make any changes, or shift from the existing policy of having an embassy that functions more like a political party headquarters.  Nonetheless, Girmai is considered more serious and less inclined to use Girma Asmerom’s condescending and often tacky language.