For many Eritreans, the dreams ignited by Isaias Afwerki's presidency in the early 90s have been extinguished 30 years later. Once celebrated as a part of a new wave of African leadership, the now 79-year-old president has grown increasingly autocratic, spending his days in isolation at a rural residence just outside the capital, Asmara. With no cabinet meetings held since 2018, all authority rests solely with him, leading local officials and citizens alike to visit in the hopes of finding assistance - often in vain.
Initially, after Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia in 1993, Isaias, then a young and charismatic leader, seemed poised to usher in a new era. He had garnered international praise for his commitment to democracy, and in meetings with world leaders like President Bill Clinton, he spoke of a constitutional government and a multi-party system. However, when war broke out with Ethiopia in 1998, these promises rapidly fell away. Accusations arose that he used the conflict to indefinitely postpone elections that were expected to follow the ratification of a new constitution in 1997.
As resistance to his rule grew, particularly among former allies known as the G-15, who called for political reform, Isaias's regime responded with force. The government silenced independent media and arrested dissenters in September 2001, quelling any hopes of democratization. The president himself later declared his aversion to political parties and dismissed the notion of political pluralism as a "mess." Consequently, Eritrea emerged as one of the world's most repressive states, drawing international condemnation and leading many to flee the country.
Despite claims of economic struggles, the administration refuses humanitarian aid, advocating for a self-reliant society. Meanwhile, Eritrean youth, trapped in a cycle of forced national service, continue to pursue dangerous routes out of the country, seeking the freedom denied to them at home. Over recent decades, many have fled, making Eritreans some of the most common applicants for refugee status in the UK.
In a recent speech, Isaias offered no indication of forthcoming changes, leaving citizens more frustrated than ever with his lack of discourse on crucial issues such as the constitution and overdue elections. While he retains pockets of support from military and ruling party members, growing discontent causes concern for the future. As he approaches 80, questions loom about his succession, with no clear plan in place and uncertainty about who could follow him.
With his grip on power ever-present and no imminent reform on the horizon, Eritreans find themselves caught in an agonizing wait for change, their hopes seemingly dashed amidst decades of governance marked by repression and despair.
