He previously served as the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations in New York from 2006 to 2014.

[1] Araya was born in Senafe, and in 1969 received a Diploma in Weather Forecasting from the Stanmore Meteorological Training Centre in London.

From 1994 to 2001, he was Minister's Counsellor of Eritrea’s embassy in Beijing, China, while simultaneously serving as a Permanent Representative to the United Nations for his country from 1997 to 2002.

Araia was a consummate diplomat & a very jovial person; undaunted by adversity & always taking matters in his usual, casual, stride.

"[5] Beyene Russom, Ambassador of Eritrea to Kenya & Tanzania, wrote: "What surprised me most was his inner strength & will to continue to serve his country even when he was unwell He really fought against his rather long illness undetected & camouflaged by his big smiles bc of his desire to serve his people.