Seberapa Kejam KORUT-NYA AFRIKA? Wamil Seumur Hidup! Rakyat Kabur! Eritrea! | Learning By Googling

Summary

Eritrea, often called the 'North Korea of Africa,' is a highly authoritarian and isolated country in the Horn of Africa. Under President Isaias Afwerki, who led the nation to independence from Ethiopia in 1993, elections have never occurred, and human rights violations are rampant. Citizens face extreme poverty, limited access to electricity and internet, mandatory military service lasting decades, and brutal prison conditions. The government monitors Eritreans abroad, enforcing taxes and donations under threat. Despite a 2018 peace deal with Ethiopia, Afwerki maintains tight control. Mass emigration has left one-third of the population living abroad, highlighting the country’s oppressive regime and the struggle for basic freedoms.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Eritrea is often called the 'North Korea of Africa' due to its authoritarian government and isolationist policies.
• 🧑‍✈️ President Isaias Afwerki led Eritrea to independence in 1993 and has ruled without elections ever since.
• 🚫 Scheduled elections in 1997 were repeatedly postponed, and no elections have occurred since independence.
• 🏃 Eritrea has the fastest population depopulation rate in the world, with over 2 million people (about one-third of the population) living abroad.
• 💰 Eritrean diaspora citizens are monitored and taxed by the government, even if they have changed citizenship, under threat of harm to relatives.
• 🥵 About 39% of Eritreans live below the extreme poverty line, and 65% face food shortages; rural areas experience up to 78% food scarcity.
• 📡 Media freedom is extremely limited: only one state-run TV channel, one radio channel, and one newspaper exist, making Eritrea rank last globally in media freedom.
• ⛓️ Human rights violations are severe, including forced military conscription for 18+ citizens that can last up to 20 years, with conscripts earning only $30 per month.
• 🏚️ Prisons are overcrowded and harsh, with detainees held without trial in steel containers or cells with minimal facilities and frequent torture.
• ✝️ Religious freedom is restricted to four recognized religions, and practicing any other religion can result in imprisonment.
• 🤝 Eritrea signed a peace agreement with Ethiopia in 2018, reopening embassies and trade, but domestic authoritarian policies remain unchanged.
• 📰 Many Eritreans reject the 'North Korea of Africa' label, claiming media exaggerates conditions and portraying themselves as self-reliant rather than needing external intervention.

Q & A

Why is Eritrea often called the 'North Korea of Africa'?

Eritrea is nicknamed the 'North Korea of Africa' due to its authoritarian regime, lack of political freedom, restricted media, harsh prison conditions, compulsory military service, and severe human rights violations, which resemble aspects of North Korea's governance.

Who is Isaias Afwerki and what role did he play in Eritrea's independence?

Isaias Afwerki is the founding president of Eritrea. He joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) in 1966, later became its leader, and led the struggle for Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia, which was achieved in 1993.

Has Eritrea ever held national elections since its independence?

No, although elections were scheduled for 1997, they were repeatedly postponed under the pretext of national security threats. Since independence, Eritrea has never held a national election.

Why are so many Eritreans fleeing the country?

Thousands of Eritreans flee due to political oppression, harsh living conditions, forced military service, extreme poverty, food shortages, and lack of personal freedoms. In 2023 alone, around 71,500 Eritreans sought refuge abroad.

What is the situation for Eritreans living abroad?

Eritreans abroad, even those who have changed citizenship, are often required to pay taxes and contribute to government fundraising. Refusal can result in threats or harm to family members remaining in Eritrea.

How does Eritrea control access to information?

The government controls all media. Only state-owned TV, radio, and newspapers exist, and independent media are banned. Internet access is limited and expensive, with only 20% of the population having access to Wi-Fi, making it difficult to access information from outside.

What are the conditions like in Eritrean prisons?

Prison conditions are extremely harsh. Overcrowding is common, with rooms holding far more people than capacity. There are minimal or no toilets, poor lighting, and prisoners often face torture. Some are detained in steel containers in the desert.

What is mandatory military service in Eritrea like?

All citizens 18 years or older must serve in the military. Although the law states 18 months, in reality service can last up to 20 years. Conscripts face forced labor, indoctrination, harsh treatment, and earn only $30 per month.

How do Eritrea and North Korea compare in terms of media and civil freedom?

Eritrea ranks 180th out of 180 countries in media freedom, below North Korea. Both countries severely restrict freedom of expression, but Eritrea has fewer media options. Their civil and political freedom indices are both extremely low, at 3/100.

What recent developments have occurred in Eritrea-Ethiopia relations?

In 2018, Eritrea and Ethiopia signed a peace agreement, ending a long-standing state of war. Embassies, border crossings, and trade routes reopened, and Ethiopian Airlines resumed flights to Eritrea, normalizing relations between the two nations.

Do all Eritreans agree with the 'North Korea of Africa' label?

No, some Eritreans reject the label, claiming media reports exaggerate the country's problems. They argue conditions are not as severe as portrayed and criticize outsiders for having a 'savior complex' when reporting on Eritrea.

What is the current state of poverty and food security in Eritrea?

Approximately 39% of Eritreans live below the extreme poverty line, and 65% experience food shortages. In rural areas, food shortages affect up to 78% of the population, making survival a daily challenge for many.