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Eritrea and its emigrants; Why they leave – The Economist

Eritreans are taking to the seas because of worsening conditions at home A DAY of national mourning was held on October 4th after as many as 300 people drowned in the Mediterranean’s worst recent shipwreck, just

Eritreans are taking to the seas because of worsening conditions at home

Some 30,000 people reached Italy illegally in boats in the first nine months of 2013, three times as many as in the whole of 2012, according to Frontex, the European Union’s border agency. Many hail from Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia, three countries in varying stages of civil strife. But the largest batch came from Eritrea, a country that has supposedly been at peace for the past 13 years.

The Italian island of Lampedusa, which lies south of Sicily in what officials call the “central Mediterranean corridor”, is not on the Eritreans’ main escape route. Most make their way overland. Some 40,000 have sought refuge in Israel, 87,000 in Ethiopia and 125,000 in Sudan. On the face of things, this is odd. Though its GDP per person is still only $500, the former Italian colony, which was recognised as independent from Ethiopia in 1993, is enjoying modest growth on the back of a boom in mining.

The main reason for the mass flight is that a growing number of Eritreans feel they are living in a prison camp, rivalled—some say—only by North Korea. All males up to the age of 50 have to do national service on starvation wages in an army whose senior ranks are brutal and corrupt. Up to the age of 65 men must continue to serve for periods every year in the “popular army”, even though life expectancy hovers at only 61.

Isaias Afewerki, Eritrea’s president, who has run the country since independence, now acts as a “one-man state”, says the International Crisis Group, a Brussels-based think-tank. For two decades he has been head of state, commander-in-chief of the armed forces and chairman of the ruling party, which itself emerged out of a guerrilla force. Freedom of movement, speech, religion and assembly have all steadily withered. One survivor in Lampedusa, who gave his name as Awet, aged 27, said he had fled after eight years in the army, knowing no date for his release.

From the print edition: Middle East and Africa

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6 COMMENTS
  • aus 17 October 18, 2013

    How many wouldnhave died had these died youths marched back to face the dictator who caused their collective death, just because he wants to live in peace having them stuck half dug along the worder foever where “no peace and no war” atmosphere reigns. Cynically the best ever given souvenir to him.
    Am I exaggerating if I say today Isayas is among the happiest leader ever since in Eritrea.I’m sure he’s celebrating their death in silence with liquor… whisky at the top Ginn additional.
    It wouldn’t matter had all the youths be liquidated, it would just be one holyday for him.

  • Kombishtato October 18, 2013

    The economist writes most of the refugees who reach the European Union ” …hail from Syria, Afghanistan and Somalia, three countries in varying stages of civil strife. But the largest batch came from Eritrea, a country that has supposedly been at peace for the past 13 years.”

    Does this mean that Eritrea will not be far from joining the club of the failed states such as Somalia and Afghanistan at any time soon?

  • sidiabdu@gmail.com October 18, 2013

    it is already a failed state. All the indicators point to that direction

  • Aaron October 19, 2013

    For the government of Eritrea, those who escape the country are not considered as Eritreans.That’s the main reason why no state mourning was held in Eritrea. Isayas is in fact very angry that they were not shot while crossing the boarder The Mediterranean Sea did the dirty job for him, exposing him and his incapability to rule the country in peace. His ardent followers were dancing in Atlanta, Giessen and many other places at the time when Italy and the rest of the world was mourning. They are all busy saving the face of the dictator putting the blame on US & UN. This is the same old story since the last 22 years and will have no end until the country comes under a rule of a legally and constitutionally elected leader.

  • spadeISspade October 19, 2013

    the most youth is running out. left back at home are the old, mothers, kids, war disabled veterans, and the sick, and otherwise the most trusted army heads, and spy agents. So that means there is no one with a real power to challange and call for change in house. The most powerful – the youth – has run. As the economist pointed out, 125,000 + 85,000 + 40,000 and lets say some 15,000 (to Itly) which makes it 265,000. Most of these refugees are adults ranging from 14 to 90. Eritrea lost most of its youth. This is continuing as we speak, so what is the implication of this say five years down the line??
    Isayas is turning eritrea into a museum. and the diaspora collaborates by “visiting” (also via 2% tax) the museum every year – a museum well kept by a complex layer of security apparatuses loyal to ONE PERSON.

    In any case, just think of the near future and more serious socio-economic disaster is on its way. But yes this can be avoided only when we call spade is spade in unity. I was once a fan and collaborator of the regime, but no not anymore and I thank G for that.
    Isaias , Adelaide

    • Rehab October 19, 2013

      You can say majority of Eritrean were supporter of the regime till 2001 including me but our support was ment to our people and land not for one man rules he duped us lets wake up and ask ourselves where do we go now and how?

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