Girma Asmerom

Girma Asmerom Tesfai
Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations
In office 23 April 2014 – 5 October 2016
Preceded by	Araya Desta
Succeeded by	Vacant
Eritrean Ambassador to the African Union
In office ?–2014
Succeeded by	Araya Desta
Personal details
Born	10 December 1949 Eritrea
Died	October 6, 2016(2016-10-06) (aged 66) New York, U.S.

Girma Asmerom Tesfai (10 December 1949 – 5 October 2016) was an Eritrean politician and diplomat. He was the ambassador of Eritrea to the United Nations at the time of his death. He also previously served as ambassador to South Africa, the United States of America, the European Union (2006–2011) and African Union. He died in New York City in the United States in 2016. The very seasoned diplomat was also once a college soccer star as an undergraduate student at Bowdoin College, in Brunswick, Maine. He got his BA degree in June, 1973 where he majored in Government studies. He also was an Honor student-athlete and made the Dean's List. He was also very active on campus and was a Student Proctor between 1971-1972. Outside of the class room he was the winner of the George Levine Memorial Soccer Trophy award and was Bowdoin's leading goal scorer of all time until 2007 when it was broken by another player who played all 4 years. Ambassador Girma accomplished the record in 3 years.

• After receiving a master's degree in the US, he went to the mountains of Nakfa, Eritrea in 1977 and joined the EPLF to fight for Independent Eritrea.
• For the next 14 years, he contributed to the struggle for independence in various capacities – most notable of them all was establishing EPLF’s Amharic radio program.
• On April 10, 2001 he was appointed Eritrean Ambassador to the United States, where he was accredited on June 20, 2001.