Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09ASMARA326
2009-09-25 07:59:00
SECRET//NOFORN
Embassy Asmara
Cable title:
ERITREAN SOLDIERS COMMITTING SUICIDE
how-toR 250759Z SEP 09 FM AMEMBASSY ASMARA TO SECSTATE WASHDC 0501 INFO AMEMBASSY ADDIS ABABA AMEMBASSY DJIBOUTI AMEMBASSY LONDON AMEMBASSY PARIS CDR USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE CIA WASHDC CJTF-HOA J2X CAMP LEMONIER DJ COMUSNAVCENT DIA WASHINGTON DC HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE JAC MOLESWORTH RAF MOLESWORTH UK JICCENT MACDILL AFB FL NSC WASHDC SECDEF WASHDC
UNCLAS ASMARA 000326
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC MOPS PINS PGOV ER
SUBJECT: ERITREAN SOLDIERS COMMITTING SUICIDE
REF: A. ASMARA 180
B. ASMARA 186
UNCLAS ASMARA 000326
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC MOPS PINS PGOV ER
SUBJECT: ERITREAN SOLDIERS COMMITTING SUICIDE
REF: A. ASMARA 180
B. ASMARA 186
1. (SBU) An Eritrean soldier killed himself and his
estranged wife by detonating a hand grenade on 09/22/09 near
the town of Mendefeira. The soldier who had been on national
service since 1994 was despondent over his estranged
relationship with his wife and bleak prospects of being
released from national service. A second soldier hanged
himself at his parent's house in Asmara on 09/20/09. This
soldier was also depressed over his forced national service.
2. (SBU) Post Comments: Military service is mandatory for
all Eritrean youths when they turn 18. Limits of service are
arbitrary, with many soldiers being forced into conscripted
service for over 10 years. Post continues to receive reports
of soldiers deserting from their units. These two suicides,
along with the suicides mentioned in Reftels A and B, are
indicative of increasing desperation over the conditions of
national service and no meaningful future for the youth of
Eritrea.
MCMULLEN
NNNN
SENSITIVE
DEPARTMENT FOR DS/IP/AF, DS/TIA/ITA, DS/IP/SPC/SO, AF/E,
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA WATCHERS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ASEC MOPS PINS PGOV ER
SUBJECT: ERITREAN SOLDIERS COMMITTING SUICIDE
REF: A. ASMARA 180
B. ASMARA 186
1. (SBU) An Eritrean soldier killed himself and his
estranged wife by detonating a hand grenade on 09/22/09 near
the town of Mendefeira. The soldier who had been on national
service since 1994 was despondent over his estranged
relationship with his wife and bleak prospects of being
released from national service. A second soldier hanged
himself at his parent's house in Asmara on 09/20/09. This
soldier was also depressed over his forced national service.
2. (SBU) Post Comments: Military service is mandatory for
all Eritrean youths when they turn 18. Limits of service are
arbitrary, with many soldiers being forced into conscripted
service for over 10 years. Post continues to receive reports
of soldiers deserting from their units. These two suicides,
along with the suicides mentioned in Reftels A and B, are
indicative of increasing desperation over the conditions of
national service and no meaningful future for the youth of
Eritrea.
MCMULLEN
NNNN