Early Life and the Struggle for Independence
Some leaders rise through political maneuvering; others are forged in the crucible of war. Isaias Afwerki belongs to the latter category. Born in 1946 in Asmara, then part of Ethiopia, he grew up in a time of growing Eritrean nationalism. In the 1960s, as Ethiopia tightened its grip on Eritrea, young Isaias abandoned his engineering studies to join the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF), only to later break away and become a founding member of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF). His rise within the movement was not just about military prowess—it was about discipline, ideology, and an unrelenting vision for Eritrean independence.
After decades of guerrilla warfare, the EPLF, under Isaias’s leadership, finally achieved victory in 1991, making Eritrea an independent state in 1993. Isaias was hailed as the liberator of a nation that had fought one of the longest independence struggles in modern history.
From Revolutionary Leader to President
As the first and only president of Eritrea since its independence, Isaias Afwerki initially embodied the hopes of a new era. His early rule focused on rebuilding a war-ravaged country, emphasizing self-reliance, nationalism, and a tightly controlled political landscape. However, where many expected a transition to democracy, Isaias instead entrenched power, ruling without elections and dismantling any opposition.
A Nation Under Tight Control
Under Isaias, Eritrea has remained one of the most tightly controlled states in the world. The government exerts absolute control over political life, the media, and civil liberties. National service, initially meant to support the country’s development, has turned into an indefinite military conscription program, leading thousands of Eritreans to flee the country.
Despite criticism, Isaias has maintained his grip on power, arguing that Eritrea must remain vigilant against external threats. His foreign policy has been defined by conflicts with Ethiopia and tense relations with neighboring states, though the 2018 peace agreement with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was seen as a rare diplomatic breakthrough.
The Legacy of a Ruler
Isaias Afwerki’s legacy is complex. To some, he is a revolutionary hero who secured Eritrean sovereignty against overwhelming odds. To others, he is an authoritarian ruler who has stifled political freedoms in the name of national security. As Eritrea remains an isolated and heavily militarized state, Isaias’s leadership raises a broader question: Can the qualities that make a great revolutionary also make a great statesman?
His rule has ensured Eritrean independence, but at what cost? Whether history will remember him as a liberator or as a ruler who overstayed his time in power remains to be seen.