West Orange Raises Flags For Ethiopia And Eritrea (For The First Time)

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A milestone recently took place in West Orange: the town’s first Ethiopian and Eritrean flag raising ceremony.

The celebration of culture was organized by West Orange Councilwoman Asmeret Ghebremicael, who hosted the event.

According to a news release from the township, Ghebremicael is the first elected official in the state of New Jersey who is a descendant of both those African nations.

“West Orange is a very diverse community and through the years we have raised many flags in town,” Ghebremicael said, explaining her motivation for organizing the ceremony.

“I always wondered to myself – why not the Ethiopian and Eritrean flags? – because many of us live here?” she recalled, speaking alongside her 10-year-old son, Makos Alula.

“My goal is to bring the community together and to share the rich culture and history of my countries with West Orange, and hope that you will learn that Ethiopia and Eritrea are more than the photos and videos of starving children and families displayed by western media,” the councilwoman added.

Ghebremicael’s father, Tekeste Ghebremicael, also spoke at the Oct. 30 flag raising ceremony.

“I am so proud of my daughter of all that she has accomplished and will accomplish in the name of public service and the legacy of our heritage,” the longtime West Orange resident said.

The respect between family members is mutual, Ghebremicael said.

“I’ve learned the value of family and community,” she said.

“This is something that my parents instilled in me from a very young age,” Ghebremicael said, adding that they have been heavily involved in the community over the years – and even helped open the state’s first Ethiopian Orthodox Christian Church in West Orange.

Other attendees at the event included Mayor Susan McCartney, who spoke of the “significant progress” that has been made between the two countries over a border dispute that ended 23 years ago – albeit at a cost of tens of thousands of casualties.

“In 2018, Ethiopia and Eritrea signed a peace agreement, ending decades of hostility and re-establishing diplomatic ties,” McCartney said. “The peace deal was a historic moment in the region, bringing hope for stability and cooperation between the two nations.

Since the signing of the peace agreement, there have been efforts to improve relations, including the reopening of embassies, direct flights, and the normalization of trade and economic ties, the mayor added.

According to township officials, West Orange residents can expect to see another such event next year in what is expected to become an annual ceremony.

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