Isaias Afwerki
latest news & developments
Burkina Faso: Revolution, authoritarianism and the crisis of African emancipation politics
If revolutions are to succeed, the people must deliver freedom. They must reject authoritarianism, a small revolutionary elite or a military junta.
Strongman syndrome in Africa flips democracies to totalitarianism
The strongman thrives on populism, low civic involvement, political elitism, fear, poverty, illiteracy and the abuse of the rule of law
Pretoria deal gives Ethiopia a chance at lasting peace
All parties must act responsibly to build a solid foundation for peace after signing an agreement on 2 November
Why international peace talks in Ethiopia were unsuccessful – and how to make them work
A realistic evaluation of the power plays and political motives of the antagonists is needed to bring lasting peace to the country
African leaders must continue to press for talks: Ethiopia is too big to fail
The conflict in Ethiopia could spill over into the entire Horn of Africa region. AU and regional leaders need to step up their efforts to de-escalate the situation
Abiy Ahmed won a Nobel peace prize. Now Ethiopia is on the brink of civil war
Even as the prime minister was being feted in Oslo last year, the seeds of this conflict were being sown.
Why do presidents cling to power?
Four former heads of state speak about what being president is actually like
Crisis, what crisis? How not to handle a pandemic
So far, most countries on the African continent are dealing with Covid-19, but not all leaders are taking the coronavirus pandemic seriously
A letter to Ciham Ali, in an Eritrean jail on her birthday
Ciham Ali was born in the United States and moved to Eritrea with her family. When Ciham tried to leave, she was arrested at the border. After eight years, Human Rights Watch…
Africa’s most authoritarian school
The militarised Warsai Yikealo Secondary School is at the heart of Eritrea’s repressive regime, according to Human Rights Watch
With border open, Ethiopia and Eritrea are back in business
After 20 years of bloody conflict and grim stalemate, the Ethiopia-Eritrea border is bustling once again
Ethiopia reopens embassy in Eritrea as relations warm
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki and Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed signed a peace pact in July
Eritrea reopens embassy in Ethiopia amid thaw
More than 20 years after the two countries broke off relations, Eritrea’s president reopened his country’s embassy in Ethiopia
Ethiopian Airlines to operate daily flights to Eritrea
The opening of ties could be an economic boon to the two nations, both poor but on very different paths
Ethiopia, Eritrea declare war ‘has come to an end’
The re-establishment of diplomatic and trade ties after years of bitter separation could mean big benefits for both nations