Eritrean government officials of all stripes Wednesday graced funeral services held for Professor Asmerom Legesse at Asmara’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.
Professor Asmerom Legesse passed away on 31 January at the age of 94 in the United States.
He was a prominent and illustrious anthropologist who produced important research on various themes during his tenure at the universities of Harvard, Boston, Northwestern, Chicago, and others.
Prof. Asmerom served his country and people in various capacities over the past four decades.
These include, among others, serving as Chairman of the U.S. branch of the Eritrean Relief Association from 1984 until independence; publishing well-researched documents on the atrocities perpetrated against Eritreans and Ethiopians of Eritrean origin; documenting and exposing extensive gender-based violence thought to have been committed during its border war with Ethiopia.
He is also celebrated for playing a significant role in foiling attempts to dehumanise Eritrea in 2015 through allegations of human rights violations, according to personal testimonies.
Expressing deep sorrow over the passing of Prof. Asmerom, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs conveyed its condolences to his family and friends.
WN/as/APA