For Eritreans, the early prospects of President Isaias Afwerki's reign have faded into a distant memory as he approaches a staggering 32 years in office. Once seen as a beacon of hope for a new generation of African leaders, Isaias has abandoned his early commitments to democracy and reform.
Residing primarily at his rural retreat near the capital, Asmara, Isaias enjoys complete control without ever facing an election. The cabinet, which has not convened since 2018, functions under his shadow, with many officials and ordinary citizens alike hoping that he might address their struggles.
In the early 1990s, Isaias, then a charismatic leader of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF), led Eritrea to independence from Ethiopia in 1993. His global appearances — including a notable summit in Cairo where he stood against long-serving African leaders — spurred optimism about his intentions for governance. The U.S. even lauded Eritrea’s potential for democracy when President Bill Clinton welcomed Isaias to the White House.
Yet, the promise of democracy fell victim to conflict; the border war with Ethiopia that erupted in 1998 effectively halted any electoral processes. Critics accused Isaias of using the war to indefinitely delay elections, following which dissent within the government grew. A group of officials known as the G-15 publicly denounced his increasingly autocratic behavior and demanded democratic reforms.
As Eritrea experienced a brief period of media freedom in the mid-1990s, the independence that characterized its early years quickly eroded. By September 2001, in a move that would seal the country's descent into repression, the government suppressed independent media outlets and detained the G-15 leaders, many of whom remain missing.
Isaias denied any intentions of adopting political parties or democratic practices, likening them to chaos. By 2002, he effectively dismantled the transitional assembly meant to provide checks on his power, and after 2018, the cabinet ceased to exist entirely. His refusal to implement a new constitution, despite promises of doing so following a coup attempt in 2013, further solidified his grip on power.
Internationally isolated, Isaias has shunned humanitarian aid and criticized dependency while acknowledging the dire state of Eritrea's economy, which suffers from severe governmental control and infrastructure deficiencies. Young Eritreans, faced with forced national service and bleak prospects, flock to escape routes, often at great personal risk, hoping for a life free from oppression.
Despite enduring criticism, Isaias retains loyal supporters who view him as a defender of Eritrean sovereignty. However, as he retreats further from public life, the nation’s future appears uncertain. With no apparent succession plan or viable opposition, many Eritreans remain apprehensive about a future without Isaias.
In the face of mounting frustration, the hope for change looms larger, though Isaias remains firmly in control while the population continues its anxious wait for a transformation that seems increasingly elusive.
