Gedab News has learned that Mr. Habteab Tesfaselase, the director of consular affairs at the Eritrean embassy in Canada, has applied for political asylum in Canada.

Canada where he, as recently as January 28, 2007, participated in a meeting of PFDJ’s Toronto chapter.  Ironically, the slogan of the meeting was hiji’wn ab metkelna [even now standing on our principle.]

The defection of Habteab marks the third time in a row for PFDJ representatives assigned in Canada.  In 2005, Mr. Berhane Mnasie and Mr. Mekonnen Weldeyesus also abandoned the PFDJ and were subsequently granted political asylum in Canada.

News leaked from the embassy indicate that there is a possibility that Ambassador Nura is recalled to Eritrea and Mr. Ahferom Berhane is the candidate to replace her pending the final decision by President Isaias Afwerki.

There is also unconfirmed information that Mr. Hagos “Kisha”, the Director of PFDJ’s Red Sea Trading Corporation, has short-listed two candidates to replace Mr. Asefaw Sengal, the director of Beilul Currency Exchange Company.

Beilul is one of the tens of entities under the Red Sea Corporation, a monopoly conglomerate owned by the PFDJ.