In 2021, Eritrea commemorated three decades of independence from Ethiopia, yet President Isaias Afwerki’s lengthy rule has left many disillusioned. Once seen as a symbol of a new leadership generation in Africa, Isaias, who has been in power since 1991, has largely defied expectations, retreating into isolation at his rural residence near the capital Asmara. The cabinet has not convened since 2018, with all authority remaining tightly within his grasp. Local officials and hopeful citizens often flock to see him, yearning for solutions to their pressing issues.
Initially, Isaias inspired optimism. From his leadership of the victorious Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in the early 1990s to Eritrea's formal independence in 1993, he garnered significant respect. His engagements with international leaders, including positive mentions from U.S. President Bill Clinton, alluded to a possible democratic future. In fact, Eritrea was poised to draft a new constitution and progress towards fruitful governance with a promise of multiparty democracy.
However, the hopes of a democratic transition were obliterated by the onset of war with Ethiopia in 1998. Isaias’s administration used this conflict as justification to indefinitely delay elections and suspend any moves toward democratization. The initial economic and political momentum swiftly evaporated. Within a short span, oppressive actions emerged, including the detention of key political figures who dared to challenge his authority.
The crackdown indeed intensified in 2001 when all independent media were silenced, and around a dozen high-ranking officials known as the G-15 were arrested—many of whom have never been seen again. As the government perpetuated an environment of fear, Isaias rejected any notions of democratic reform, declaring his disinterest in political parties. His presidency has increasingly been characterized by an autocratic grip on power, with little room for criticism or dissent.
By 2002, he unofficially dissolved any structures intended to promote accountability, effectively sidelining democratic institutions. Today, Isaias continues to assert his authority ruthlessly, with little sign of change on the horizon. While the regime has garnered a reputation of global pariah status, his supporters believe he is a protector of Eritrean sovereignty, viewing it essential to counter perceived Western interference.
As economic hardships persist—worsened by poor infrastructure and strict governmental controls—the toll on ordinary Eritreans has deepened. With many young people caught in endless cycles of national service and repression, desperate attempts to escape the country have surged, crafting Eritrea a prominent source of refugees seeking safety abroad.
Recent public addresses by Isaias give no indication of an impending shift toward reform, failing to mention a timeframe for national elections or potential amendments to the constitution. His hold over the country grows tighter as many continue to share concerns over the absence of a succession plan amidst mounting frustration.
As Eritrea remains locked under Isaias’s leadership, the nation's future appears precarious, with citizens left hoping for the changes that never seem to come. With Isaias nearing 80 and retreating further from public life, many ponder if there will ever be an opportunity for true progress in their homeland, casting long shadows over the dream of freedom that once seemed so attainable.
Initially, Isaias inspired optimism. From his leadership of the victorious Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in the early 1990s to Eritrea's formal independence in 1993, he garnered significant respect. His engagements with international leaders, including positive mentions from U.S. President Bill Clinton, alluded to a possible democratic future. In fact, Eritrea was poised to draft a new constitution and progress towards fruitful governance with a promise of multiparty democracy.
However, the hopes of a democratic transition were obliterated by the onset of war with Ethiopia in 1998. Isaias’s administration used this conflict as justification to indefinitely delay elections and suspend any moves toward democratization. The initial economic and political momentum swiftly evaporated. Within a short span, oppressive actions emerged, including the detention of key political figures who dared to challenge his authority.
The crackdown indeed intensified in 2001 when all independent media were silenced, and around a dozen high-ranking officials known as the G-15 were arrested—many of whom have never been seen again. As the government perpetuated an environment of fear, Isaias rejected any notions of democratic reform, declaring his disinterest in political parties. His presidency has increasingly been characterized by an autocratic grip on power, with little room for criticism or dissent.
By 2002, he unofficially dissolved any structures intended to promote accountability, effectively sidelining democratic institutions. Today, Isaias continues to assert his authority ruthlessly, with little sign of change on the horizon. While the regime has garnered a reputation of global pariah status, his supporters believe he is a protector of Eritrean sovereignty, viewing it essential to counter perceived Western interference.
As economic hardships persist—worsened by poor infrastructure and strict governmental controls—the toll on ordinary Eritreans has deepened. With many young people caught in endless cycles of national service and repression, desperate attempts to escape the country have surged, crafting Eritrea a prominent source of refugees seeking safety abroad.
Recent public addresses by Isaias give no indication of an impending shift toward reform, failing to mention a timeframe for national elections or potential amendments to the constitution. His hold over the country grows tighter as many continue to share concerns over the absence of a succession plan amidst mounting frustration.
As Eritrea remains locked under Isaias’s leadership, the nation's future appears precarious, with citizens left hoping for the changes that never seem to come. With Isaias nearing 80 and retreating further from public life, many ponder if there will ever be an opportunity for true progress in their homeland, casting long shadows over the dream of freedom that once seemed so attainable.
