Vol 42 No 19

Published 28th September 2001

ERITREA

Crackdown

28th September 2001

The President has gaoled the reformers ahead of the ruling party's congress

Critics of President Issayas Afeworki complain about his autocratic style. On 18 September, he proved their point, when six of his critics in the ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ) were arrested just before dawn. On the next day, five more were arrested. Three of the 'G15' Group of Reformers were abroad: Haile Menkurios, former Ambassador to the United Nations, now a UN official; Adhanom Gebremariam, former Ambassador to Nigeria; and former Defence Minister Mesfin Hagos. Their passports have been withdrawn, as has that of Hebret Berhe, Ambassador to Scandinavia, a reformist who resigned in July (AC Vol 42 No 15). The 15th G15 member, Mohamed Berhane Blata, was pressurised out of the group two months ago and remains at liberty.

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Vol 42 No 19

Crackdown

The President has gaoled the reformers ahead of the ruling party's congress

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