Isaias Afwerki facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaias Afwerki
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| ኢሳይያስ ኣፍወርቂ | |
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Isaias in 2024
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| 1st President of Eritrea | |
| Assumed office 24 May 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| President of the National Assembly | |
| Assumed office 24 May 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Chairman of the People's Front for Democracy and Justice | |
| Assumed office 16 February 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Party established |
| Secretary-General of the Provisional Government of Eritrea | |
| In office 27 April 1991 – 24 May 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Leader of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front | |
| In office 12 January 1987 – 16 February 1994 |
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| Preceded by | Romodan Mohammed Nur |
| Succeeded by | Party dissolved |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 2 February 1946 Asmara, British Administration in Eritrea (present-day Eritrea) |
| Political party | People's Front for Democracy and Justice |
| Spouse | Saba Haile |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Addis Ababa University (dropped out) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | ELF (1966–1969) EPLF (1970–1994) |
| Years of service | 1966–1991 |
| Battles/wars | Eritrean War of Independence Eritrean Civil Wars |
Isaias Afwerki (born February 2, 1946) is a politician from Eritrea. He has been the first and only president of Eritrea since 1993. He is also the leader of Eritrea's only legal political party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).
Isaias joined the Eritrean Liberation Front in 1966. This group wanted Eritrea to be independent. He later helped form the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). He led the forces that won the Eritrean War of Independence on May 24, 1991. This ended a 30-year war for independence from Ethiopia. Two years later, he was elected president of the new country, Eritrea.
Some experts and historians see Isaias as a strong leader. Eritrea's constitution has not been fully put into practice. There have been no national elections. There is also a policy of mass conscription, where many people have to join the military. Groups like the United Nations and Amnesty International have raised concerns about human rights in Eritrea. In 2024, Reporters Without Borders ranked Eritrea last for press freedom.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Isaias Afwerki was born in Asmara, Eritrea. His father worked for the state Tobacco Monopoly. His mother came from the Tigray Region in Ethiopia.
Isaias went to Prince Makonnen High School. In the early 1960s, he joined a student movement that wanted Eritrea to be independent. In 1965, he started studying engineering at Haile Selassie I University in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
In 1966, Isaias left university to join the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF). In 1967, he was part of the first group to go to China for military training. When he returned, he became a political leader in the ELF. He played a key role in changing the ELF's structure.
Eritrean War of Independence
In 1966, Isaias joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF). He and his friends believed the ELF was for everyone, but they soon found it favored certain groups. They formed a secret group to work for their goals. In 1967, Isaias went to China for military training. He learned about Maoism and guerrilla warfare.
After returning in 1968, Isaias became a political leader in the ELF. He and others criticized the ELF's divisions. In 1969, some ELF members, including Isaias, left the group. They formed a new group called the Ala group. After their leader died, Isaias became the new leader.
In 1971, this group founded the Selfi Natsinet ("Independence Party"). They explained why they wanted a separate group. They accused the ELF of unfair treatment. They called for a "revolutionary organization." This group later joined with others to form the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in 1973.
Isaias became a very important leader in the EPLF. By the mid-1980s, he had a lot of control over the organization. In 1987, he became the secretary-general of the EPLF. He was seen as a symbol of Eritrea's fight for freedom. In April 1991, the EPLF took control of Asmara from Ethiopian forces. The next month, they drove out other Ethiopian troops. Isaias quickly got support from the U.S. for Eritrea's independence. In June 1991, his group announced they wanted a vote on independence.
Presidency (1993–present)
Independence of Eritrea
In April 1993, the United Nations helped organize a vote on independence. The next month, Eritrea officially became an independent country. Isaias was elected as the first head of state by the National Assembly. He has been president ever since.
In February 1994, the EPLF changed its name to the People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). This was part of its change into a political party. Isaias was elected as its secretary-general. He started new economic plans. In May 1994, he began a national service program. Young people would serve for 18 months, focusing on military training and helping with farming.
Domestic Policy
Elections
In his early years, Isaias was seen as a new kind of African leader. However, a new constitution was written in 1997 but was never put into effect. Elections were also canceled. In 2000, Isaias said that elections and political choices are good for a country. But a parliamentary election planned for 2001 was put off forever.
In 2000, some government ministers asked him to step down. In September 2001, he closed national newspapers. Important opposition leaders were arrested. In 2010, when asked about elections, he said, "Let's wait 3 or 4 decades."
Economics
In 2009, Isaias supported developing Eritrea's own economy. He wanted to build new roads, power, and communication systems. He also aimed to improve healthcare and education.
Eritrea's economy has grown due to farming and mining. Its economy grew by 12 percent in 2018. Prices also went down from 2016 to 2018. This continued after trade with Ethiopia started again.
In 2012, Isaias said Eritrea's development was a "success story."
Human Rights
Some groups have raised concerns about human rights in Eritrea. In 2013, Amnesty International reported that many political prisoners were held. They also claimed that unfair treatment was common.
In 2015, a United Nations group said that Isaias's government was responsible for widespread human rights issues. These issues might be considered crimes against humanity. Independent newspapers have been banned since 2001. Journalists and opposition leaders have been arrested. Eritrea does not allow human rights groups to work freely in the country.
A 2015 report also mentioned unfair treatment by security forces. This included treatment of prisoners and people avoiding national service. In 2022, a group called Freedom in the World rated Eritrea as "not free."
Foreign Relations
Ethiopia
Eritrea and Ethiopia have had border conflicts since Eritrea became independent. A major war happened between 1998 and 2000. It started when Eritrea entered a disputed area. Hundreds of thousands of people died. In 2000, they signed an agreement to end the war. But the countries remained in a "no-war-no-peace" situation.
Eritrea worried about Ethiopia's support for Eritrean opposition groups. Isaias used the border dispute to keep a strong military and justify national service. Eritrea supported Ethiopian rebel groups to weaken Ethiopia's influence.
In 2018, things changed. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed came to power. He signed a "joint declaration of peace and friendship" with Isaias in July. This brought back diplomatic and trade ties. They agreed to reopen borders for trade and access to services. In September, they signed another peace treaty. Many world leaders praised this agreement.
After July 2018, intelligence agencies from both countries started working together. This worried some Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia.
The Tigray war began in November 2020. Eritrean forces joined with Ethiopian forces against the Tigray People's Liberation Front. There were reports of looting in the Tigray Region. After some time, Ethiopia's Prime Minister admitted Eritrean troops were there. He agreed to withdraw them. In March 2021, after a meeting between Isaias and Abiy Ahmed, it was announced that Eritrean troops would leave the Tigray Region.
Sudan
Relations between Eritrea and Sudan were difficult at first. Eritrea accused Sudan of supporting groups that attacked the Eritrean government. Eritrea broke ties with Sudan in 1994. It supported a Sudanese opposition group.
Relations were restored in December 2005. Isaias and Sudanese president Omar al-Bashir met in Khartoum. Isaias later said relations with Sudan were strong. Eritrea helped make a peace agreement between the Sudanese government and a group called Sudan's Eastern Front.
In 2014, Sudan agreed to supply Eritrea with fuel. They also planned to build a power line from Sudan to Eritrea. In 2021, Isaias visited Khartoum to talk about border disputes between Ethiopia and Sudan.
Djibouti
Relations between Eritrea and Djibouti began in 1991. In 1996, Djibouti accused Eritrea of attacking a village. Eritrea denied this. The conflict grew, but Eritrean forces later left the area.
During the Eritrean–Ethiopian War, Djibouti's port became important for Ethiopia's trade. In 1998, Eritrea accused Djibouti of helping Ethiopia with military supplies. Djibouti sent troops to its northern border.
In 1999, Eritrea accused Djibouti of taking Ethiopia's side. Djibouti accused Eritrea of supporting rebel groups. However, relations improved in 2000 after mediation. Isaias visited Djibouti in 2001, and Djibouti's President visited Eritrea. They created a group to work together.
In 2008, a new border dispute arose. Djibouti said Eritrean soldiers had moved into its territory. Both sides sent troops to the area. With help from Qatar, they agreed to talk to solve the problem.
Somalia
In July 2018, Eritrea and Somalia started diplomatic relations. Somalia's president visited Isaias in Asmara. Somalia showed support for Eritrea in international politics.
Russia
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Eritrea was one of only a few countries that voted against a United Nations General Assembly resolution condemning Russia's actions in Ukraine in 2022. In July 2023, Isaias met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Saint Petersburg. During the meeting, Isaias said there was no war between Russia and Ukraine.
Personal Life
In 1981, Isaias met his wife, Saba Haile. She was also a fighter in the EPLF. They have three children: Abraham, Elsa, and Berhane.
Before Eritrea became independent, Isaias became very sick with cerebral malaria. He was flown to Israel for treatment. He recovered after successful medical care. As of 2019, he is a member of the Eritrean Orthodox Church.
His nickname is "Isu." He admired Mao Zedong from his training in China.
Foreign Honours
Saudi Arabia
Order of King Abdulaziz (2018)
Serbia
Order of the Republic of Serbia, Second Class (2016)
United Arab Emirates
Order of Zayed, First Class (2018)
See also
In Spanish: Isaias Afwerki para niños
