Dictator of the
Month: December, 2005Dictator of the
Month: December, 2005
| Isaias
Afewerki
Take me to the picture gallery Fact Sheet Name: Isaias Afewerki
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Biography
Isaias Afewerki was born on 02 February 1945 to an influential family in Asmara, central Eritrea. After World War II, the once-Italian colony was occupied by the British, while the fate of Eritrea was debated in the UN with strong opposition from Eritreans against the incorporation of the country into Ethiopia. Eventually in 1960 Haile Selassie annexed Eritrea as a part of Ethiopia, touching off a rise of discontent among Eritreans that would evolve into a civil war. Afewerki attended the University of Addis Ababa studying engineering; during this time he was joined the Marxist Eritrea Liberation Front (ELF) in 1966, fighting against Ethiopia's annexation of Eritrea by Emperor Haile Selassie. He received military training in the People's Republic of China in 1968 and returned to Eritrea in 1970, as deputy commander of a rebel ELF unit. The overthrow of Haile Selassie in 1974 led to the installment of Mengistu Haile Mariam as Marxist dictator; despite the fact that the leadership of Ethiopia and the Eritrean rebels were now both in the Marxist camp, fighting would continue. Afewerki would go on to become secretary general of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in 1987 with the civil war continuing to rage on; by now, the EPLF would eschew Marxism. The rebels would now control 90% of the country, with exception of the larger cities. In May 1991 Rebels succeeded in taking control of the last parts of the country not already under control, establishing a provincial government in the capitol Asmara on 29 May 1991. During this time the Mengistu regime would collapse in Ethiopia and nothing would stand in the way of independence for Eritrea. In April 1993 independence for Eritrea was attained by a referendum, where 95% of Eritreans were for the secession from Ethiopia. Afewerki would go on to become Eritrea's first president on 24 May, 1993. But hopes for a free Eritrea would become somewhat stunted, as Afewerki was evidently not committed to democracy and freedom. A one party state was put in place under the renamed People's Front for Democracy and Justice, and remains in place up until to-day with free elections never called again since Afewerki took power, despite promises of elections in 1997 and again in 2001. War with Ethiopia After having engaged in hostilities with Sudan and Yemen in the early to mid 1990's, the stage was set for the main event. Although relations with Ethiopia were initially very good, with the two countries enjoying a mutual currency and preferential trade agreements, they began to deteriorate rapidly in 1997. At this time there was a rise of Eritrean nationalism, fostered by Afewerki; an independent currency was introduced and territory disputes with Ethiopia over the Badame and Shiraro regions began to flare up. Afewerki deployed an occupying force to the areas. This would lead to border clashes and later escalate into a full-blown war. The war would last for two years, sapping the resources of the two already strained countries. This war would go on until 2000, when Ethiopian forces would re-take Badame, and about 25% of Eritrean territory. The war would be effectively used by Afewerki to rally the Eritrean population to support him against the common foe, but at a high cost- 19,000 Eritrean soldiers and 123,000 Ethiopian soldiers were killed, hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced from their homes, and damage inflicted upon Eritrea's basic infrastructure was extensive. Ethiopia would ultimately end the war, leaving Afewerki no choice but to accept their conditions with a cease-fire in June 2000 and a treaty in December 2000. Through the following years much negotiation would take place regarding the disputed territories; in fact both sides were given some of the disputed territories, and Badame would be ceded to Eritrea. Ethiopia since this decision has publicly supported the allotment of the lands after the war, but fears are growing that the situation could flare up again, after Ethiopia started fortifying the borders in late 2004 and 2005. Freedom of the Press and Religion What Afewerki is most heavily criticized about is his stance on freedom of the press, or more appropriately lack thereof. After Afewerki clamped down on private press in 2001, privately run media are now nonexistent in Eritrea, leaving the country as the only in Africa without private news media, with press, radio, TV and the country's news agency all strictly controlled by the government. Moreover his regime has been marred by the disappearances/ kidnappings/ incarcerations of international and domestic journalists. Opposition and criticism of his government are absolutely not tolerated and are swiftly punished. Oppression by Afewerki has been very brutal, as evidenced by the number of refugees fleeing the country; about ten thousand Eritreans have sought asylum and live in camps in Ethiopia. Religious persecution has also moved to the forefront under Afewerki's regime with all religions except Islam, Catholicism, Orthodox and Evangelical being restricted. Moreover, in 2003 the Eritrean government passed law creating a registration system that compels citizens to provide information about their beliefs to be allowed to practice religion. Those who practice religions other than those expressly allowed have been arrested, beaten, tortured and forced to sign documents stating that they will convert to a legal religion. Original article written by www.dictatorofthemonth.com (c) 2005- all rights reserved http://www.freedomhouse.org/research/freeworld/2002/countryratings/eritrea.htm
http://www.cidob.org/bios/castellano/lideres/a-012.htm
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