Eritrea’s Garrison State: The World Must Not Ignore Isaias Afwerki’s Reign of Repression

While much of the world remains focused on conflicts elsewhere, Eritreans continue to endure life under one of the most repressive regimes in the world. Under President Isaias Afwerki, Eritrea has transformed into a garrison state, where war is a constant, and freedom is a distant dream.

Paul B. Henze, a former U.S. official and analyst, once drew comparisons between Isaias and Mengistu Haile Mariam, Ethiopia’s notorious former dictator. His prediction has aged with grim accuracy. Thirty years since Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia in 1991, the nation has slid deeper into authoritarianism, with Isaias consolidating absolute power and ruling without a constitution, parliament, or free press.

From Hope to Fear

Eritreans once believed independence would bring liberty and economic opportunity. There were even aspirations of becoming “Africa’s Singapore.” But Isaias had other plans. He rejected democratic governance in favor of total control, pushing Eritrea towards militarism over modernization.

Instead of fostering a free society, he turned Eritrea into a heavily militarized state. Citizens are forced into indefinite national service—many for life. Dissent is silenced swiftly and brutally.

In 2001, 15 senior government officials—once allies of the president—publicly called for democratic reforms. Eleven were arrested and disappeared without trial. Their fate remains unknown to this day.

No Room for Dissent or Dreams

Eritreans live under constant surveillance, unable to freely study, worship, or pursue personal goals. The government’s tight grip extends to every aspect of daily life. Religious persecution is rampant. Since 2004, the U.S. State Department has consistently designated Eritrea as a “Country of Particular Concern” due to severe restrictions on religious freedom.

Ethnic minorities, especially the Afar people in the Dankalia region, suffer disproportionately. A 2023 report by the UN Special Rapporteur on Eritrea highlighted the systematic discrimination, arbitrary detentions, and violence faced by the Afar community.

A Nation Perpetually at War

Isaias’s leadership has kept Eritrea on a constant war footing. The country has been involved in numerous regional conflicts, including the ongoing civil war in Sudan. Even after a peace deal was signed with Ethiopia in 2018, tensions remain high.

Eritrea’s involvement in neighboring conflicts has earned it international scrutiny, but global attention has been fleeting. As soon as headlines fade, so too does concern for the plight of ordinary Eritreans.

A Call to Action

The world must not turn away. The international community cannot ignore the suffering of Eritreans trapped in an endless cycle of war, repression, and poverty. Real pressure must be applied to end Isaias Afwerki’s authoritarian rule and restore the promise of Eritrea’s hard-won independence.

Eritreans deserve more than to be foot soldiers in Isaias’s lifelong wars. They deserve freedom, dignity, and the right to build their own future.