Ethiopia
Isaias Afwerki Self-Interview: What Badme?
4 questions, 80 minutes. So, nothing has changed. 1:20 ratio. Stylistically. Actually, substance-wise, everything changed: we have Isaiaism Sofware Upgrade: 2018 edition. Those who gave up on the guy won’t even raise an eyebrow. But those of you who have been sledgehammering us with Badme might want to pay attention. You don’t want to be…
The Farce of Eritrea at Human Rights Council
In a move that combines the continental politics of the African Union (AU) and the chummy good ol’ boy networking of the United Nations, the State of Eritrea, a serial violator of human rights, was elected to join the UN’s Human Rights Council for the 2019-22 term. First, a refresher. The United Nation’s Human Rights…
Eritreans Single Right: The Right To Smoke Anywhere
This was originally posted in Facebook by an Ethiopian visitor to Asmara. It is consistent with another report by an Ethiopian journalist and presents an unblemished report of Asmara, far different from the paid come-and-see propaganda pieces organized by the Government of Eritrea over the last three years. The Government’s invitation to “come and see”…
In Eritrea, the Peace Dividend Is Same As The War Dividend: Migrants
Whether Eritrea is in a state of war, in a state of no-war-no-peace, or in a state of peace, it appears to have one export: migrants. Consider: Eighty-eight (88) days after Eritrean politicians went to Addis Abeba and told us humble Abiy Ahmed is our leader; Seventy-six days (86) after President Isaias Afwerki told us…
World Reacts To Arrest of Minister Berhane Abrehe
On Monday morning, September 17, the Government of Eritrea arrested former Finance Minister Berhane Abrehe in Asmara, Eritrea. The former minister had published a two-part book in Tigrinya highly critical of the Isaias Afwerki government which was published by his family in the United States and whose excerpts were disclosed on August 30, 2018. Subsequently,…
Dr. Newitol Is Here To Add To Your Confusion: (21-30)
21. Curious from Hmeret Kelboy asks, ” why did Eritrea and Ethiopia sign their peace agreements 3 times? Dr. Newitol: One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, now, go, cat, go. The one signed in Eritrea was for the money (from UAE to Ethiopia.) The one signed in Abu-Dhabi was…
Contempt
Since June 5, 2018, when Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed expressed his government’s intent to accept the Algiers peace Agreement with Eritrea without reservation, the leaders of both countries have had dramatically different ways of communicating the blossoming peace to their people. Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has held numerous meetings with his people, visiting them…
US To Eritrea: Nice Try, But No Reform, No Sanctions Relief
It is a bad day for PFDJ which almost always means it is a good day for the Eritrean people. The Isaias Afwerki regime appears to have calculated that if it makes peace with Ethiopia, Somalia and Djibouti, why, then, there is no reason for the United States not to normalize its relations and, more…
Finally, Our Peace Dividend
The much-anticipated opening of the Zalambesa and Bure points on the Eritrea-Ethiopia border, occurred today. Zalambesa connects Eritrea capital Asmara to Tigrayan capital Mekele and towns further south to Ethiopia, whereas Bure is a mere 60 miles to Eritrean port Asab. Both are strategic towns which were the sites of heavy casualties in the 1998-2000…
Refreshing: An Honest Ethiopian Reportage On Eritrea
If you have been watching Ethiopian media in Eritrea, whether due to its desire not to be a “downer”, or its fear that it will spoil the environment of peace, or because it genuinely believes it, the most generous thing one can say about it is that it has allowed its wishes to cloud its…
Eritrea: Promises of More of the Same
Eritrea’s Charge d’Affaires to the United States is Berhane G Solomon. A protege of Yemane Gebreab, the ruling party’s Director of Political Affairs, Berhane even has Yemane’s body language: the exaggerated hand movements, the awkward smile and, of course, flashes of brilliance. In short, he is very good at his job, a job that requires…
Eritrea In Pictures: Geneva, Massawa, Asab
In a hall full to capacity, Eritrean demonstrators for justice assembled to plan the next steps for taking their movement forward. A day earlier, on August 31, a large crowd variously estimated at 2,000 to 3,000, had marched the streets of Geneva calling on the Government of Eritrea to lift the state of siege it…