Eritrea’s importance in the Horn of Africa regional politics is dictated more by its strategic location along the Red Sea than its wealth. Despite talks of gold discovery, Eritrea is one the world’s poorest countries with an economy that was further bankrupted by a costly and absurd war with Ethiopia in 1998. Yet, Eritrea remains a regional power to reckon with. The sixth in our series about South Sudan’s pending historic independence referendum highlights Eritrea’s position; A position that naturally runs against Ethiopia’s.
Years after being a de facto leader of Eritrea, Isaias Afewerki was elected president in 1993 after the Horn of Africa country gained its independence from Ethiopia through a referendum. Four years after being installed as President, Isaias Afewerki refused to adhere to his promise of democratic reforms and has since ruled the country with an iron fist. And despite its independence from Ethiopia, the two countries have remained hostile to each other; The bone of contention is land.Read More
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