Category Archives: Eritrea

Dissident Eritrean soldiers with tanks took over the information ministry on Monday and forced state media to call for political prisoners to be freed, a senior intelligence official said. The renegade soldiers have not gone as far as to demand the overthrow of the government of one of Africa’s most secretive states, long at odds with the United States and accused of human rights abuses. Eritrea has been led by Isaias Afewerki, 66, for some two decades since it broke from bigger neighbour Ethiopia. The fledging gold producer on the Red Sea coast has become increasingly isolated, resisting foreign pressure to open up. Soldiers forced the director general of state … Continue reading →

The BBC is reporting that 17 players from the Eritrea national football team and the team doctor are believed to have absconded in Uganda. Only 12 players returned from a shopping trip on Sunday – and, of these, five later left saying they were visiting friends and did not return.  It meant only five players and two officials were left to return home to Asmara on Tuesday. Security agencies have launched a search for the missing players, who had been in Kampala for a CECAFA Cup match. “We don’t know where our brothers are,” said team coach Teklit Negash.  The website of Eritrea’s opposition party claimed the players were seeking … Continue reading →