About Eritrea

Eritrea has a long history of occupation and oppression. From late 19th century to the Second World War, the country was occupied by Italy. Mussolini wanted to create "the heart of the new Roman Empire" by the Red Sea. However, he was tossed out by the Brits in 1941. The British administration lasted until 1952, when the country was forced into a federation with neighbouring Ethiopia. Eritrea was supposed to keep some self-government. But in 1961, Ethiopia annexed Eritrea, sparking a war that lasted more than thirty years - Africa's longest war. Against all odds, the war ended to Eritrea's advantage. But the cost was immense. All Eritreans contributed in some way - with their assets, with their knowledge, in many cases with their lives - to the liberation struggle.

Independence 1993

Eritrea gained independence on May 24th, 1993, since more than 99.8 percent of the population had voted in favour of independence from Ethiopia. The Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) was reorganized shortly afterwards into the ruling party PFDJ (People's Front for Democracy and Justice). One of the most prominent heroes from the liberation struggle, Isaias Afeworki, was elected chairman of the party, and the president of the new nation. PFDJ would rule the nation for an interim period of four years; after that, free elections would be announced.

Eritrea's press laws were made in 1996, giving all Eritrean citizens the possibility and the permission to found their own newspapers. A multitude of independent newspapers were founded as a result of this: Admas, Meqaleh, Keste Debena, Zemen. But the first, and largest, of them was called Setit.

No free press

Today, there is no free press in Eritrea. So far, no free elections have been held, and since 2001 the repression has become even harsher. Political dissidents and religious minorities are either imprisoned or go into exile, and the conflict with Ethiopia casts its shadow on everyday life. Even though both parts signed a peace treaty in Alger in 2000, Ethiopia refuses to accept the current border, and claims a small piece of land around the village of Badme. Since 2000, the border area is patrolled by UN troops.