The Rise of Eritrean Cyclists

 African Arguments posted on 15 September 2024 a commentary titled "Eritrean Cycling: How a Colonial Legacy Became a National Passion" by Mohamed Kheir Omer, an African-Norwegian researcher based in Oslo.  

Introduced by the Italians in the late 19th century, cycling has become a vital part of Eritrean culture.  Eritrean Biniam Girmay became the first African cyclist to win the Green Jersey at the 2024 Tour de France.  Eritrean success in cycling has occurred in spite of the fact that the government prioritizes military service over athletic development.  

Eritrean Migrants Riot in Israel

 The Times of Israel published on 25 August 2024 an article titled "Far-right Minister Calls for Expulsion of Eritrean Asylum Seekers after Deadly Brawl" by Sam Sokol.

An estimated 20,000 Eritreans now live in Israel seeking asylum from National Service or as economic migrants.  Eritrean pro-regime and anti-regime factions recently clashed in Tel Aviv, resulting in two deaths.  Israel is trying to incentivize African migrants and asylum seekers to leave Israel.  

The Horrors of Eritrea's Prison System

 The Washington Post published on 6 January 2024 an article titled "An African Gulag So Ghastly that Inmates Risk Death to Escape" by Katharine Houreld.

Based on interviews with former prisoners, many of whom were trying to avoid Eritrean National Service, the article describes the conditions in Eritrea's extensive prison system, which are said to be deplorable.

Eritrean Military's Role in Tigray Region

 Reuters published a special report dated 1 November 2021 titled  "Dual Agenda: In Ethiopia's Civil War, Eritrea's Army Exacted Deadly Vengeance on Old Foes" by Ayenet Mersie, Giulia Paravicini, and Katharine Houreld.

This is an in-depth report on the role of Eritrean forces in Ethiopia's war in Tigray Region.  Eritrea sent tanks and troops to support Abiy Ahmed and settle old scores with the TPLF.  It also documents atrocities against Eritrean refugees in Tigray by both the Eritrean Defense Forces and Tigrayan militias.  

Eritrea's Final War

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 25 June 2021 a commentary titled "Eritrea's Last War" by Kjetil Tronvol, Bjorknes University College, Oslo. 

The author compares today's Eritrea to ancient Sparta with its never ending military service and constant war campaigns.  He reports that tens of thousands of Eritrean troops are fighting and dying in Tigray Region of Ethiopia.  But if Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki fails in Tigray, the author suggests it may lead to his downfall.  

Plight of Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia

 Aljazeera published on 11 February 2021 an article titled "Ethiopia Shuts Two Tigray Camps Housing Eritrean Refugees."

Ethiopia's director general for Refugee and Returnee Affairs confirmed the closure of two out of four camps in Ethiopia for Eritrean refugees.  Satellite photography shows the two camps have been destroyed.  Out of the 96,000 Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia before the outbreak of conflict in Tigray Region, there are now only 26,000 to 28,000 Eritreans in the two remaining camps.  

The Ethiopia-Eritrea Alliance

 Ethiopia Insight posted on 23 January 2021 a commentary titled "The 'Peace' that Delivered Total War against Tigray" by Yosief Ghebrehiwet, a writer who lives in Los Angeles.

This is a long, controversial commentary that focuses on the relationship between Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Eritrean President Isaias Afewerki.  

What Does Eritrean Presence in Tigray Region Mean for Ethiopia and Eritrea?

 African Arguments posted on 8 January 2021 a commentary titled "Eritrea in the Tigray War: What We Know and Why It Might Backfire" by Martin Plaut, Institute of Commonwealth Studies.  

The author presents the evidence documenting the presence of Eritrean troops in Tigray Region, arguing that the Tigray conflict was meant to rid Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki of his Tigrayan enemies.  He concludes the problem for both Isaias and Ethiopian President Abiy Ahmed is that the conflict might drag on for months, if not years.  The war could end up destabilizing either, or both, governments.  

Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia Flee for Sudan

 Agence France Presse published on 12 December 2020 an article titled "New Exile for Eritrean Refugees Fleeing Ethiopia."

Prior to the outbreak of conflict in Tigray Region of Ethiopia, there were four Eritrean refugee camps with almost 100,000 Eritreans, many who were escaping mandatory National Service in Eritrea.  Following attacks on the refugee camps in Ethiopia, reportedly by Eritrean and Ethiopian National Defense Force soldiers, some of the Eritreans have now fled to Sudan where they are speaking with the international press corps.    

Eritrea: Podcast with Martin Plaut

 The International Crisis Group posted on 6 October 2020 a half hour podcast titled "Eritrea's One-man Rule" with Alan Boswell and Martin Plaut, journalist at the University of London.  

Plaut explores how Isaias Afwerki has maintained his unyielding grip on power while pursuing his geopolitical ambitions in the region and beyond.  He describes a country pervaded with regime paranoia, extreme domestic repression, and isolationism that has somehow also managed to leverage itself into strategic partnerships with actors ranging from the UAE and Saudi Arabia to insurgent groups.

Eritrea Continues National Service during Pandemic

 Africa Is a Country just posted a commentary titled "Eritrea's Deteriorating State" by Abraham T. Zere, US-based exiled Eritrean journalist.  

Eritrea is continuing its required National Service and training that concentrates young Eritreans at its military facility at Sawa in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Rare First-hand Account from Eritrean Refugee Camp inside Ethiopia

Ethiopia Insight posted on 7 June 2020 a commentary titled "Memories of Hitsats" by Natalia Paszkiewicz, UK anthropologist.

This is a rare first person account of the situation in an Eritrean refugee camp in Tigray Region of Ethiopia.

Eritrea's Suffering Female National Service Conscripts

Ethiopia Insight published on 15 January 2020 an article titled "No Peace for Eritrea's Long-suffering Female Conscripts" by Hiba Said, Ethiopia Insight editor.

Eritrea has a National Service that requires men and women to join. It is believed to be the single most important reason why Eritrea ranks ninth in the world as a country of origin for refugees. An estimated 12 percent of Eritrea's population has fled the country. According to the author, the National Service has become especially abusive for Eritrean women.

EU Funding To Keep Eritreans in Eritrea

The New York Times published on 8 January 2020 an article titled "How Forced Labor in Eritrea Is Linked to E.U.-Funded Projects" by Matina Stevis-Gridneff.

The European Union is funding projects in Eritrea designed to improve the economy and create jobs so that Eritreans do not seek asylum in Europe. The problem is that the projects rely on labor from Eritrea's National Service, which constitutes conscript labor. This has outraged human rights organizations.

Ethiopia-Eritrea Peace Process Stagnates

Agence France Presse published on 23 July 2019 a story titled "Hopes Dashed as Ethiopia-Eritrea Peace Process Stagnates."

Early enthusiasm for the Ethiopia-Eritrea rapprochement has given way to frustration because the border remains closed and there is little progress on trade deals or granting Ethiopia access to Eritrean ports.

Ethiopia-Eritrea Rapprochement: Has Anything Changed in Eritrea?

World Politics Review published on 14 June 2019 a commentary titled "Despite Historic Rapprochement with Ethiopia, 'Nothing Has Changed' in Eritrea" by Tanja Muller, University of Manchester.

Although the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea reopened temporarily, it has now closed again. Eritreans are asking if the rapprochement with Ethiopia will result in any change in their country.

A Way Forward for Eritrea?

Ethiopia Insight posted on 28 April 2019 a commentary titled "Charting a Way Forward for Eritrea" by Martin Plaut, University of London.

The author asks that as Eritreans increasingly question the rule of President Isaias Afwerki can they find a way forward.

Eritrea: Peace with Ethiopia but No Move Toward Democracy in Asmara

World Politics Review published on 19 February 2019 an analysis titled "Will Peace with Ethiopia Usher In a Political Opening In Eritrea?" by Tanja Muller, University of Manchester.

While Eritreans welcome the new peace with Ethiopia and the ability to cross the border, the author says that so far there has been no progress toward democratic governance in Eritrea.

Eritreans Continue to Flee to Ethiopia and Sudan

African Arguments published on 15 January 2019 an article titled "With Ethiopia's Border Now Open, Why Are Eritreans Still Fleeing to Sudan?" by Michael Emile Kynaston Jones, Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies.

The border between Ethiopia and Eritrea reopened in September 2018. Between 12 September and 2 October 2018 more than 10,000 Eritreans entered UNHCR reception camps in Ethiopia. There have also been steady movements of Eritreans into Sudan, although numbers are elusive. Continued Eritrean National Service conscription and economic hardship account for most of the departures. The durability of Sudan's smuggling networks also play an important role.

Is the Ethiopia-Eritrea Peace Permanent?

The Royal United Services Institute for Defence and Security Studies published on 13 September 2018 a commentary titled "Eritrea and Ethiopia Embrace, But for How Long?" by Michael Jones.

The author concludes that while peace remains subject to the whims of Eritrea's president, structural and regional changes help to ensure that peace is in the interest of both parties.