On 24th of May 1991 tanks of the EPLF rolled into Asmara: marking the liberation of the city from Ethiopia and the end of thirty years of fighting for the independence of Eritrea. There was an outpouring of joy that lasted for three days. The fighters were greeted as liberators and hundreds of thousand thronged the city centre, dancing, cheering and celebrating the moment.

That was 35 years ago. Since then there has been much sadness. The hopes of a democratic, successful Eritrea have faded as prisons were built and soon overflowed. There were wars with most of Eritrea’s neighbours, which took the lives of so many, leaving many more disabled.

But it is important not to lose optimism about Eritrea. Eritreans are a resilient people who will – one day – build a bright future.

To that end I am sharing some images of 24 May 1991 – and a few others for context.

Eritreans are rightly proud that they fought for their independence and achieved it on their own terms. But they did receive help from others. I am including some images that make that point. However, nothing should detract from the joy that Eritreans experienced on that day which is – of course – their heritage and their legacy alone.

Below are a few photographs of those who worked with Eritreans to win the victory which was, of course, their own.

This is Glenys Kinnock, Labour politician and wife of Neil Kinnock, former leader of the Labour Party. She was a passionate supporter of Eritrean freedom, but has sadly died. The other photograph shows Cathy Watson and other medical supporters of Eritrea.