US issues security alert over Asmara school policy protests in Eritrea

01 Novembre 2017

Samaria, Eritrea, November 1 (Infosplusgabon) - The US Embassy in Asmara, the Eritrean capital, issued an alert Wednesday to its citizens, asking them to avoid downtown Asmara, where the security forces have been involved in ceaseless shooting of protesters.

In a new advisory, the US Embassy said it received reports of gunfire at several locations in Asmara due to protests.

"The Embassy advises US citizens to avoid the downtown area where protests appear to be more prevalent. Streets in the downtown area may be closed, and police continue to maintain a significant presence," the Embassy said in the advisory.

The security forces opened fire on students who attempted to march to President Isias Aferweki's office to protest a government policy to transfer ownership of privately-owned schools to communities, according to an activist, Arbi Harnet.

The government is implementing its plan to assume control of school administrations from parents to communities.

The latest protests in Asmara were sparked off by the demands by a group of students of an Islamic school, the Diae Islamic School, whose administrators are opposed to the plan to take over the administration and change of curriculum.

About 100 protesters marching to the offices of the President were beaten and shot at on Tuesday and tension remains high on the streets.

Arbi said the opposition to the 2014 policy to convert the school management to local communities which are not properly equipped financially to manage the schools is at the centre of the current impasse.

The Islamic school community is demanding the release of a community elder, Haji Musa Mohamed Nur, who led the opposition to the government's policy before his arrest in Oct 2016.

Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.

Due to the security situation, the US Embassy said Americans should review personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including at local events, and monitor local news for information.

The advisory also calls on citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance their personal security.

FIN/INFOSPLUSGABON/AIR/GABON 2017

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