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Eritrea’s Mugabe – Assenna.Com Commentary

Eritreans who are familiar with the history of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, the 93 years old strong man with one foot in the grave, are watching him intently and wondering whether Isaias Afwerki, who has

Eritreans who are familiar with the history of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, the 93 years old strong man with one foot in the grave, are watching him intently and wondering whether Isaias Afwerki, who has just turned 72 recently, is going to follow the same path. Many think he is as senile and pitiful as Mugabe already.

Mugabe has been in power in Zimbabwe for 37 years.  His physical fitness to rule his country, once called the bread basket of Africa, is questionable.  He wrecked Zimbabwe’s economy and Zimbabweans continue to flee to South Africa in huge numbers.  Zimbabweans in South Africa, both black and white, make up the largest group of foreign migrants – now estimated to have reached four million.

Mugabe is so weak he stumbles, his speech is slurred, suffers from absent mindedness and yet he is convinced that he is the best man for the 2018 elections, the only option for his countrymen.  Many were expecting him to tap his wife to run for office.  He didn’t. Presumably he forgot.  Anyway, it is apparent that his condition has severely impaired his reasoning ability.  He is so drained he has no energy left in him to condemn Britain, former colonial master, as he used to.  As the world laughs at him Africans continue to internalise the shame Mugabe has brought to Africa.

What about Isaias Afwerki?  He has become cagier than ever as he continues to hold on to power by all means.  He does not have support from Eritreans inside and outside the country as government outlets continually propagate to prop up his image.  He is so bitter and has become cynical he does not grant interviews to foreign media any more.  He does not make state visits to western countries as he knows he is not welcome anymore.  What’s more, his obsession with Ethiopian affairs is so strong one can easily take notice of his growing paranoia day-by-day.  The country’s economic policies have, by his own admission, failed during the last 25 years.  Eritrea failed to create the private sector as the country pursues and pushes small business owners to their downfall.  Thousands of youngsters flee the isolated country each month making its defence forces devoid of the required level of manpower.

In 2015 the UN report accused the Eritrean government of crimes against humanity. And yet, President Isaias, like Robert Mugabe, continues to plod through the swamp.  Both leaders have plunged their respective countries into ‘a de facto state of warfare’ in order to stay in power.

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24 COMMENTS
  • Tes February 24, 2017

    I think the author and some of the commentators in this forum lacks facts in Zimbabwe. Comparison should be on like to like base. In Zimbabwe there’s basic fuctional law. In Eritrea there is no any sign of state organse to start with. Eritrea is a plot of one person Eseyas Afwerki While the population are his responsible possession. The coparison between Mugabe and Eseyas is like comparing London and Asmara. Yes they are both cities but they are not comparable. They have completely different feature.
    In Zimbabwe all government feature exist with all its shortcoming. In Ertirea there is none no law, no freedom of speech or freedom of movement etc. Eritrea and its leader are unique in all their nature. What’s amazing they are Eritreans who think Eritrea as a nation. The truth is that Eritrea is a property of one man. Look what Eseyas is doing in Eritrea if he like divide it in to 5 zones or 6 zones. He doesn’t need any consent from the people nor consultation with people. Comparing with other leaders and country simply a feel good exercise by individuals, other than that it doesn’t make sense.

    • Asmara Eritrea February 26, 2017

      Well said, Tes. No comparison between Mugabe and Isaias. Not only does Mugabe has 6 degrees (yes, six degrees) and is a highly intellectual individual with one of the best communication skills (refer to the Lancaster House negotiations of the early 80s) he goes through a ritual election process be it fair or unfair. More importantly, there is rule of law as well as freedom of expression in Mugabe’s Zimbabwe.. The problem with Mugabe is that he is obsessed with power and will not let go.

      Isaias on the other hand is a college dropout who lasted a single term at Uni before he failed his exams and was subsequently expelled. He is brain dead. Isaias has assumed power by intimidation and bullying – G15 were beating up like kids, not only in 2001, but throughout the Eritrean struggle for independence and they did nothing. Eritrea as a country does not function – thanks to the beast. I have seen better run corner shops in London than the way Eritrea is currently run.

      Eritrea forever, death to dictatorship…

  • eri February 25, 2017

    Why you don’t bring any solution then ,we all know that none of you will fight to save eritrean people from their suffering or from the dictator as you guys said
    Wednesday all know you guys used the youths deaths into the sea for your political purpose and as evidence against eritrea for human rights inquiry, if you do not have any solution why you hademty don’t just enjoy your welfare and be silent

    • adhanom February 25, 2017

      Eri
      U are a victim of an extreeme ignorance.

  • hidat February 26, 2017

    adhanom “”””””””Eri u are a victim of an extreme ignorance””””””ewayEri MISAKA ALEKU: ADHANOM !!!!!!! NATKA ENDEYU DEA ZIGEDEDE””””””SALUTE ISEYAS THE GREAT MAN CITIZEN THE BEST ACADAMIC CREDENTIAL12+2″”””””””WAY HAWEY KAN ESU EYU AKMIKA::?????KABAKAS TIHCHICHILEY EQUEYU CERTIFICAT ALO DEYU HAGER NIKITIMERH KE????BIGEKA KEMTIGIGNA SIW´WUEE WUCHU ZIBELO””””KININAN TEWEFAYINETIN “””INBER??? BEL “”””” MIS GENZEBKA FARA YEWYXEE MARA””””””DEYU ILU SUZININO ::NERITRA KEA YEWAXA EYU 12+2 :

    • Tes February 26, 2017

      Eri & hidat
      The problem with Eritrea is that there are plenty low IQ like you. You cannot follow topic what’s discussing here. That’s too much for your little brain. You better read what others saying it may help you to widen your knowledge. Otherwise don’t waste our time and of course your time. Just to feed a bit the forum is discussing whether there’s similarity bwn Dictator Eseyas and Mugabe. If you love Eseyas feel free to come with support information. As for welfare may be Adhanom is the one paying your welfare. You think everyone is like you two. Have a life.

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