By Martin Plaut on 11/10/2024

Source:Daily News October 10, 2024 6:28 pm [Official communique below]

ritrea, Egypt, and Somalia Leaders Issue Joint Communiqué, Affirming Regional Stability and Cooperation

Presidents Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi of Egypt, Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea, and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud of Somalia met in the Eritrean capital.

Leaders from Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia met in the Eritrean capital on Thursday for a Tripartite Summit focused on strengthening relations between the three countries and addressing regional security concerns. The summit resulted in a joint communiqué outlining key areas of cooperation and shared goals.

“The leaders of the three countries underscored the need to adhere to the fundamental principles and tenets of international law as the indispensable foundation for regulating relations between states and maintaining stability,” the communiqué states. “This includes, most importantly, absolute respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of countries in the region, opposing any interference in the internal affairs of these nations under any pretext or by any means, and supporting joint efforts to achieve regional peace, combat terrorism, and create a conducive environment for sustainable development.”

The communiqué highlighted the leaders’ commitment to upholding international law as the foundation for regional stability, emphasizing the importance of respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all nations in the region. They also agreed to oppose any interference in the internal affairs of these countries.

Focus on Somali Stability, Security, and Regional Cooperation

The leaders also expressed their commitment to supporting Somalia’s security and stability, emphasizing the need to strengthen Somali state institutions and the Somali National Army to address internal and external challenges, including countering terrorism.

“The leaders agreed to develop and deepen cooperation and coordination among the three countries to enhance the capacity of Somali state institutions to address various internal and external challenges, enabling the Somali National Army to counter terrorism in all its forms, protect its land and maritime borders, and maintain the unity of its territory,” the communiqué reads.

The summit addressed several key areas of regional cooperation, including the crisis in Sudan, the situation in Somalia, and security issues in the Red Sea. They also discussed establishing mechanisms for diplomatic coordination and joint efforts between the three nations.

Egypt, in a show of support for Somalia, has offered to contribute troops to the upcoming African Union Mission to Support Stability in Somalia (AUSSOM).

The leaders also agreed to establish a joint tripartite commission comprising the foreign ministers of Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia for strategic cooperation in all areas.

President Al-Sisi’s Remarks

At a joint press conference following the summit, Egyptian President Al-Sisi emphasized the importance of the tripartite meeting, highlighting the shared challenges and opportunities facing the three nations.

“Our meeting today is not only a testament to the strong and distinguished relations between our three brotherly nations, but it also reflects the growing importance of developing and strengthening these historic ties, whether in confronting shared challenges in both the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, or in capitalizing on the potential of our countries to maximize opportunities for achieving development and prosperity for our peoples,” President Al-Sisi said.

He highlighted the need for cooperation and coordination to counter destabilising forces in the region. “We have gathered today, hosted by His Excellency the dear brother President Isaias Afwerki, to consult and benefit from exchanging perspectives on ways to counter schemes and actions aimed at destabilizing the region, dismantling its countries, and undermining the tireless efforts of our nations and peoples yearning for peace, stability, and prosperity.”

President Al-Sisi also outlined Egypt’s commitment to supporting Somalia’s security and stability, as well as its efforts to address the situation in Sudan. He emphasized the need for enhanced regional cooperation, including in trade and investment, to maximise opportunities for prosperity.

“We also agreed on the seriousness of the ongoing situation that has disrupted international navigation in the Red Sea, negatively impacting global trade. We emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation among Red Sea littoral states and developing institutional coordination frameworks to secure international navigation in the Red Sea and to enhance cooperation among these states to maximize the benefits of its natural resources.”

President Al-Sisi concluded his remarks by expressing his gratitude to President Afwerki and President Mohamud for their participation in the summit. He affirmed Egypt’s commitment to working with Somalia and Eritrea to achieve greater security, stability, and prosperity in the Horn of Africa.

Joint Statement of the Tripartite Summit

Source: Eritrea Ministry of Information. Last updated Oct 10, 2024

 

(Unofficial Translation)

1.      Upon the kind invitation extended by His Excellency President Isaias Afwerki, President of the State of Eritrea, to His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, President of the Arab Republic of Egypt, and to His Excellency President Dr. Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud, President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, the three Presidents met today, October 10, 2024, in the Eritrean capital, Asmara. During this meeting, the Presidents held extensive consultations on vital regional and international issues at a tripartite summit.

2.      The Three Heads of State underlined the imperative of adhering to the basic principles and pillars of international law as the indispensable basis for regional stability and cooperation: especially unequivocal respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of the countries of the region; confronting interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region under any pretext or justification; coordinating joint efforts to achieve regional stability; and creating a conducive climate for joint and sustainable development.

3.      Agreed to develop and deepen cooperation and coordination between the three countries in order to enhance the capabilities of the Somali state institutions to confront various internal and external challenges, and to enable the Somali National Federal Army to confront terrorism in all its forms, protect its land and sea borders, and maintain its territorial integrity.

4.      In this context, the summit discussed in greater depth and reached a consensus on the following issues:

·        The crisis in Sudan and its regional repercussions.

·        The situation in Somalia in light of recent regional developments.

·        Security and cooperation issues between the Littoral States of the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait in the context of its utmost importance as a vital maritime route.

·        Modalities of diplomatic coordination and joint efforts between the three countries.

5.      Welcomed the efforts made by the State of Eritrea and the Arab Republic of Egypt in supporting stability in brotherly State of Somalia and enhancing the capabilities of the Federal Government, and commended the offer of the Arab Republic of Egypt to contribute forces within the framework of peacekeeping efforts in Somalia.

6.      Agreed to establish a Joint Tripartite Committee of the Foreign Ministers of Eritrea, Egypt, and Somalia for strategic cooperation in all fields.

Source: Shabait

Presidents Isaias Afwerki and Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties

On Oct 10, 2024

Asmara, 10 October 2024 – President Isaias Afwerki and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of the Arab Republic of Egypt held extensive discussions this afternoon, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations, as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the absolute respect for the sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of all countries in the region. They rejected any interference in the internal affairs of these nations under any pretext or justification. Additionally, they agreed to coordinate joint efforts to achieve regional stability, create a favorable environment for sustainable cooperation, and strengthen bilateral ties across various fields to meet the development and prosperity aspirations of their peoples.

Furthermore, the two Presidents decided to deepen and intensify political consultations between their countries on a wide range of regional and international issues, as well as geopolitical developments of common interest. To this end, they agreed to establish a political consultation committee at the Foreign Ministers level, which will meet periodically to enhance cooperation and coordination in areas of shared interest.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi expressed his gratitude to President Isaias Afwerki for the warm hospitality extended to him and his delegation.

Earlier today, at the invitation of President Isaias Afwerki, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, along with his delegation, arrived in Asmara for an official visit.

The delegation, which includes the Egyptian Minister of National Security, the Chief of the Presidential Cabinet, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was warmly welcomed by President Isaias Afwerki at Asmara International Airport.


Eritrean activists face legal battles in America

Thursday, 26 September 2024 20:00 Written by

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Eritrean activists face legal battles in America

By Martin Plaut on 25/09/2024

Michael Rubin

By Michael Rubin

Secretary of State Antony Blinken

Secretary Antony J. Blinken holds a joint press availability with Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, Philippine Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo, and Philippine Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro in Manila, Philippines, July 30, 2024. (Official State Department photo by Freddie Everett)

After North Korea, Eritrea is the world’s most repressive and totalitarian country. Independence leader Isaias Afwerki rules with an iron fist. He rejects elections, and treats the country as his personal fiefdom. Unlimited conscription and national service transformed Eritrean citizens into unpaid slaves and made the country Isaias’ plantation. In response, many Eritreans flee. The routes are perilous; many die of thirst in the desert or drown crossing the Red Sea or Mediterranean. Tribesmen, criminals, and slavers prey upon them. Isaias is fine with the flight as Eritrea relies not only upon remittances from those who make it to Europe and the United States but also extorts a two percent “tax” based on ethnicity rather than citizenship. If an Eritrean renounces their citizenship, Isaias does not care. If they do not pay two percent of their income back to his treasury, their relatives will suffer back in Eritrea.

Other members of the diaspora, I would argue, advocate for the government for either privilege or, as possible, intelligence officers who spy on the Eritrean community. This is a strategy ripped from the North Korean playbook. Some experts argue that various ‘front groups’ regularly promote Pyongyang positions in Washington, seeking to confuse policy or, on occasion, win a propaganda coup when they can convince a representative to parrot their talking points without looking behind the curtain.Indeed, Isaias considers pro-government diaspora to be a fourth front” to supplement the country’s Western, Central, and Eastern fronts. Eritrean embassies often coordinate with diaspora front groups to lionize Isaias and celebrate festivals important to his rule. Eritrean front groups usually seek to intimidate those who favor freedom and democracy. In recent years, clashes and violence have become commonplace as pro-regime Eritreans attack those who do not share their views.

The pro-freedom diaspora has now responded. Over the past two years, diaspora groups across Europe and the United States have rallied behind the so-called Blue Revolution.” Many of this pro-freedom, anti-Isaias Eritreans counter-protest at pro-regime festivals. This infuriates Isaias and pro-regime organizers as it takes the shine off their events and undermines the image of Eritrean solidarity they promote.

The pro-Isaias community in the United States now appears to be experimenting with a new strategy: Using U.S. courts to target anti-regime protestors. Earlier this year, the Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle sued several Eritrean democracy activists at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma. While the case remains mired in its early procedural issues such as service, it sets a dangerous precedent.  Many cases have no merit—and reading the complaint, this appears to be one of them. The Eritrean Association says they serve more than 7,000 local Eritreans and openly acknowledge they organize events such as Eritrean Independence Day and Martyr’s Day celebrations. These parallel government holidays that lionize Isaias. The complaint then suggests that for their advocacy, they have become the target of hate crimes. This, of course, elides “hate crimes” with political dissent as those whom they accuse share the same ethnicities.

The root of the Eritrean Association complaint is that protestors disrupted their event by protesting and caused participants to cancel hotel reservations. They allege violence, but the complaint appears exaggerated. What the complaint alleges to be severe violence and destruction of property, the local police spokeswoman acknowledged tents tipped over. She described them as scuffles “that have quickly ended.”

It is understandable that the U.S. government prefers to remain aloof. After all, the judiciary is an independent branch of government, and the executive branch has no business interfering. At the same time, though, this can play into Isaias’ hijacking of the courts. He can channel unlimited funds to his front groups and lawyers to try to use court procedures and hearings to intimidate and bankrupt the Eritrean opposition.

The courts should be interested in not allowing themselves to be used by a dictator or groups that, by their actions, appear to act as his proxies. The State Department should also file a brief with the court explaining Eritrea’s methodology and strategies to target and neutralize opposition. Lawfare is simply its latest tactic

National Security Journal

September 23,

After North Korea, Eritrea is the world’s most repressive and totalitarian country. Independence leader Isaias Afwerki rules with an iron fist. He rejects elections, and treats the country as his personal fiefdom. Unlimited conscription and national service transformed Eritrean citizens into unpaid slaves and made the country Isaias’ plantation. In response, many Eritreans flee. The routes are perilous; many die of thirst in the desert or drown crossing the Red Sea or Mediterranean. Tribesmen, criminals, and slavers prey upon them. Isaias is fine with the flight as Eritrea relies not only upon remittances from those who make it to Europe and the United States but also extorts a two percent “tax” based on ethnicity rather than citizenship. If an Eritrean renounces their citizenship, Isaias does not care. If they do not pay two percent of their income back to his treasury, their relatives will suffer back in Eritrea.

Other members of the diaspora, I would argue, advocate for the government for either privilege or, as possible, intelligence officers who spy on the Eritrean community. This is a strategy ripped from the North Korean playbook. Some experts argue that various ‘front groups’ regularly promote Pyongyang positions in Washington, seeking to confuse policy or, on occasion, win a propaganda coup when they can convince a representative to parrot their talking points without looking behind the curtain.

Indeed, Isaias considers pro-government diaspora to be a “fourth front” to supplement the country’s Western, Central, and Eastern fronts. Eritrean embassies often coordinate with diaspora front groups to lionize Isaias and celebrate festivals important to his rule. Eritrean front groups usually seek to intimidate those who favor freedom and democracy. In recent years, clashes and violence have become commonplace as pro-regime Eritreans attack those who do not share their views.

The pro-freedom diaspora has now responded. Over the past two years, diaspora groups across Europe and the United States have rallied behind the so-called “Blue Revolution.” Many of this pro-freedom, anti-Isaias Eritreans counter-protest at pro-regime festivals. This infuriates Isaias and pro-regime organizers as it takes the shine off their events and undermines the image of Eritrean solidarity they promote.

The pro-Isaias community in the United States now appears to be experimenting with a new strategy: Using U.S. courts to target anti-regime protestors. Earlier this year, the Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle sued several Eritrean democracy activists at the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington in Tacoma. While the case remains mired in its early procedural issues such as service, it sets a dangerous precedent.  Many cases have no merit—and reading the complaint, this appears to be one of them. The Eritrean Association says they serve more than 7,000 local Eritreans and openly acknowledge they organize events such as Eritrean Independence Day and Martyr’s Day celebrations. These parallel government holidays that lionize Isaias. The complaint then suggests that for their advocacy, they have become the target of hate crimes. This, of course, elides “hate crimes” with political dissent as those whom they accuse share the same ethnicities.

The root of the Eritrean Association complaint is that protestors disrupted their event by protesting and caused participants to cancel hotel reservations. They allege violence, but the complaint appears exaggerated. What the complaint alleges to be severe violence and destruction of property, the local police spokeswoman acknowledged tents tipped over. She described them as scuffles “that have quickly ended.”

It is understandable that the U.S. government prefers to remain aloof. After all, the judiciary is an independent branch of government, and the executive branch has no business interfering. At the same time, though, this can play into Isaias’ hijacking of the courts. He can channel unlimited funds to his front groups and lawyers to try to use court procedures and hearings to intimidate and bankrupt the Eritrean opposition.

The courts should be interested in not allowing themselves to be used by a dictator or groups that, by their actions, appear to act as his proxies. The State Department should also file a brief with the court explaining Eritrea’s methodology and strategies to target and neutralize opposition. Lawfare is simply its latest tactic.

Make no mistake: Freedom is on trial in Tacoma. Not only is Isaias watching its outcome, but dictators from Beijing to Moscow to Addis Ababa to Caracas will also seek to use U.S. courts to do their dirty work.

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By Martin Plaut on 21/09/2024

On September 21, 2024, at 4:00 p.m., a march for the human rights of the Eritrean people will be held in Bologna, an awareness-raising event that aims to bring serious human rights violations in Eritrea to international attention. The march will start from the historic Church of San Luca and will pass through the city's porticoes to end in Piazza Nettuno at 6:30 p.m.

The protagonists of the initiative will be young Eritreans who, along the route, will share stories and testimonies of journalists who are prisoners of conscience, illegally detained in Eritrean prisons for over twenty years. These media professionals, arrested in 2001 for exercising their right to freedom of expression, were unjustly accused of conspiracy with Ethiopia and treason, without ever having been formally tried.

Among the detained journalists are internationally renowned figures such as Dawit Isaak, awarded the Golden Pen of Freedom in 2011 and the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize in 2017, and Amanuel Asrat, recently awarded the International Courageous Writer Award.

The main purpose of this march is to raise awareness among institutions and the public about the dramatic state of human rights in Eritrea, a country where there are no independent media and where freedom of speech is violently repressed. The demonstration aims to urge the intervention of international organizations to put an end to these serious violations and to obtain the immediate release of prisoners of conscience.

The event will see the participation of various city entities and illustrious guests, united in the common goal of giving voice to those who, for too long, have been forced into silence.

About the organizer

The event is organized by the Eritrean Provisional Committee for Freedom and Justice, an organization committed to defending human rights and promoting freedom of expression in Eritrea and around the world.

For more information This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

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Tigray leader met with senior Eritrean officials

By Martin Plaut on 11/09/2024

 

Source: New Addis Standard

TPLF-Chairman-Tigray-Eritrea

TPLF Chairman, Debretsion Gebremichael, today [Tuesday] disclosed that Tigray President Getachew Reda held a meeting with leaders of Eritrea.

Tigray People’s Liberation Front chairman Debretsion Gebremichael in his talk with journalist on the eve of Ethiopian new year disclosed that months ago Getachew Reda, Tigray interim president, held a meeting with Eritrean leaders in Dubai. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed proposed this meeting and he asked Getachew Reda to contact Eritrean leaders. TPLF executive committee was on board too. After the meeting, Tigray president briefed Ethiopian Prime Minister and TPLF Chairman about the meeting, said the TPLF chairman.

Getachew Reda has not responded to these accusations so far. Interestingly, around 2 weeks ago, Getachew Reda accused TPLF Debretsion group of conspiring with foreign countries. He implied that TPLF leaders were forming an alliance with Eritrean leaders against his government and federal government of Ethiopia. Later Ammanuel Assefa, TPLF deputy chairman, rejected those allegations in a press talk.

It seems that both TPLF groups, led by Getachew Reda and Debretsion Gebremichael, are trying to discredit each other. Eritrean forces supported Ethiopian military against Tigray forces in the 2-year long war which destroyed Tigray.

TPLF chairman in today’s press talk reacted to criticism leveled by Tigray President Getachew Reda in an interview last night. The president claimed that Pretoria agreement saved TPLF. TPLF chairman today responded by saying that Tigray forces had not been defeated when talks were held leading to signing of Pretoria agreement. He claimed that Getachew Reda and others, who negotiated on behalf of Tigray, agreed on dissolution of Tigray regional government without consulting other TPLF leaders.

Comment

This meeting is confirmed.

In yesterday's press conference, Debretsion claimed that, with the permission of the TPLF executive committee, Getachew held several meetings with Eritrea's high-level leadership and that PM Abiy was aware of and encouraged these talks.

Debretsion presented this as evidence that, contrary to Getachew's accusations—wherein he implied that the TPLF old guard's contacts with Eritrea were motivated by a desire to form an alliance against the Ethiopian government—the meetings were actually sanctioned by Abiy and were the outcome of TPLF executive decision [in which Getachew particpated] aimed at establishing peaceful relations with neighboring states.

Debretsion highlighted the fact that Getachew's contact with Eritrea on behalf of the TPLF to show that, while he endorsed the Getachew's meeting in Dubai, the interim president was insincere in his portrayal of Debretsion and others as plotting an alliance with Eritrea while hiding his own leading role in the meetings and Abiy's awareness of the events.

 

Eritrea.Liberty Magazine Issue Nr.85

Tuesday, 03 September 2024 23:07 Written by
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Martin Plaut 
14/06 
Source: Le Courrier
“The PLR motion passed to the National Council aimed at deporting rejected Eritrean refugees to a third country is appalling.” Via a forum, experts, associations and representations of political parties express their indignation against “a ludicrous decision, which reflects the denial among certain political representatives of the reality of the soft power exercised in Switzerland by the Eritrean dictatorship”.
FRIDAY JUNE 14, 2024 
On June 9, 125 national advisors let themselves be carried away by the dream of a mass deportation and of a very distant country which, in return for funding, would take charge of the Eritrean refugees rejected from Switzerland, and would take care of managing their repatriation in Eritrea. A discomfort, of course. The chill down the spine, the indignation, of course. But also a reassuring thought, that, despite the solemn context, the PLR motion is only a fantasy which pragmatically cannot come true: to put in place a functional transit agreement through a third country, it would already be necessary that Bern and Asmara have an agreement regarding the return of refugees, which has never been the case and probably never will be. Also, the country with which the “transit” agreement would be put in place could only serve as a bridge between Switzerland and… Switzerland. And this while making itself dependent at great expense on a third State, whose reliability it will have to guarantee in terms of respect for human rights with national and international institutions.
The Federal Council, that is to say the executive, already refused last year to take action on the implementation of this unworkable measure. Since the vote of June 9, he is now forced to try to give substance to this populist turn which will in all likelihood end in a laborious series of failures, like its model, the British plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda . Since 2022, the latter has been nothing but a succession of failures, has not slowed down the increase in the arrival of exiles in England and has barely managed to push the country to the brink of leaving the Convention European Union of Human Rights (ECHR).
The sporadic brawls involving certain Eritrean refugees are in no way directed against Switzerland, its people, its society and its welcome. If we must indeed stop this violence, we must understand that it is not a question of hooliganism, but of the avoidable consequences of the suffocating pressure of the Eritrean government on the refugees located in Switzerland.
The truth that the supporters of the June 9 motion do not want to admit is that Eritrea, an African dictatorship less populated than Switzerland and with a GDP nearly 330 times smaller, exercises a real and destabilizing influence on all of Europe. The violence is not imported by the refugees, but sent by the Eritrean government, thanks to the interference of its pro-government agents on Swiss territory, particularly during propaganda events disguised as cultural festivals.
Far from populist chimeras, simple, applicable and effective measures can be put in place in Switzerland: stop using Eritrean embassies to process asylum applications; block the levy of the 2% tax on the diaspora; fight against registrations, propaganda and pressure exerted by agents of the Eritrean government. In short, protect people on Swiss soil for good.
Fleeing the Eritrean conscription is a legitimate reason for requesting asylum, as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the associations working on the issue tirelessly repeat, with all due respect to those for whom Switzerland is at home. above human rights. We must never forget that to expel an Eritrean is to condemn him. The United Nations Council Against Torture (CAT) has already denounced Switzerland's actions with regard to the treatment of Eritrean refugees six times: let's stand up against this morbid stubbornness. An asylum and protection policy is the only way to counter violence and contribute to a healthier social climate both for Eritrean refugees and for the rest of Switzerland's inhabitants.
List of signatories:
Prof. David Bozzini – Social anthropology, University of Friborg
Prof. Didier Péclard – African studies, University of Geneva
Prof. Estelle Sohier – Cultural history, University of Geneva
Prof. Cornelia Hummel – Sociology, University of Geneva
Prof. Johannes Schubert – Political anthropology, University of Basel
Pre Alix Heiniger – Contemporary history, University of Friborg
Professor Armelle Choplin – Geography, University of Geneva
Professor Wolbert Smidt – Ethnohistory, University of Jena/Mekele
Professor Mirjam van Reisen – International relations, University of Tilsburg
Martin Plaut – Journalist/researcher, University of London
Dr Alexander Meckelburg – Anthropologist, University College London
Matteo Bächtold – Doctoral student, Collège de France
Les Verts Genevois
The Genevois Socialist Party
Ensemble à Gauche
Solidarités
Christian Zaugg – President of the DAL (Defence of the elderly, tenants, employment and social)
Valentin Prélaz – President of the Socialist Federation of the district of Sierre
Coordination asile.ge
United 4 EritreSOSF (Solidarity without borders)
Samson Yemane – Political scientist and co-president of Eritreischer Medienbund Schweiz
Julia Duncan-Cassell – President of EEPA (Europe External Program with Africa)
Meron Desta – Spokesperson for ADEHA (Association for Dialogue and Exchanges with the Horn of Africa)
Me Laïla Batou – Lawyer at the Geneva Bar
Me Pantea Sadeghipour – Lawyer at the Geneva Bar
Emmanuel Deonna – member of the League committee Swiss Human Rights
Dr Wolfgang Heinrich – Consultant
Asia Abdulkadir – Consultant
Amir Ghidey – Human Rights Defender
Jordanos Ghidey – Human Rights Defender
Rinoy Pazhayamkottil – Human Rights Defender
Kibrom Andom – Human Rights Defender
The list of signatories (more than thirty) can be found online at lecourrier.ch/rubrique/opinions/
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The career diplomat Adem Osman was the figurehead of the Eritrean regime abroad. Now research shows that he has applied for asylum in Switzerland. His successor confirmed this in a speech to supporters of the regime. He insulted the deserter as a "trait…
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Martin Plaut
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Martin Plaut
09/06
The career diplomat Adem Osman was the figurehead of the Eritrean regime abroad. Now research shows that he has applied for asylum in Switzerland. His successor confirmed this in a speech to supporters of the regime. He insulted the deserter as a "traitor".
George Humbel 08.06.2024
Back then he was still one of the regime's favorites: Adem Osman (in the light suit) brought the Eritrean Foreign Minister to Switzerland in 2019. The picture shows the distinguished guest opening a party in Burgdorf.PD
He was the young figurehead of the aging government in Asmara: He had a Facebook account, was eloquent and spoke good English. Career diplomat Adem Osman came to Switzerland in 2016 as a beacon of hope. With the consulate in Geneva, he was able to take over one of the most important outposts: Osman not only represented Eritrea to the Swiss Confederation, but also headed the UN delegation in the city on the Rhone. When Eritrea was once again pilloried in the Human Rights Council, he listened stoically. Only to then say that everything was completely different. Eritrea is making great progress in human rights - reports to the contrary are Western lies and should be rejected, said the regime's prominent mouthpiece.
Now he has applied for asylum himself. This is extremely embarrassing for those in power in Asmara. Habtem Zerai, who was newly appointed as his replacement, insulted the man who defected: "For reasons known only to him, he betrayed the Eritrean people and applied for asylum in Switzerland," said the new ambassador at the beginning of April. "He disappeared without informing anyone," the new official complained to supporters of the regime. The "NZZ am Sonntag" has a transcript of his speech. According to the new ambassador, Adem Osman applied for asylum in Switzerland in April 2023.
With the Swiss flag and a portrait of Eritrea's long-time ruler Afewerki: This is how Adem Osman addressed the Eritrean diaspora in Switzerland in 2021.
Habteab Yemane was a judge and law professor in Eritrea. Today he lives as a refugee in Switzerland and is one of the important voices of the Eritrean opposition. When he was still a lecturer at the University of Asmara, Adem Osman was one of his students. "He was a hard-working and good student," says Yemane. He followed his former student's career with skepticism: "He rose through the ranks very quickly. I never understood how he, as a trained lawyer, could defend such an unjust state." The professor and democracy activist is pleased that his former student has now turned away from the regime.
Kafkaesque game of hide and seek around the ambassador
The whole story surrounding the top diplomat who jumped ship is full of absurd twists and turns: As early as September 2023, the CH Media newspapers had reported that the ambassador had disappeared. Adem Osman was currently at a conference or a meeting, it was said again and again at the time. The consulate obviously tried to keep quiet about the embarrassment. Things then became downright surreal on September 8: The "NZZ am Sonntag" met the diplomat on the street in Geneva. During the brief meeting, he claimed to be still in office. "Everything is going normally," said Adem Osman. He had long since applied for asylum.
Why this game of hide-and-seek? The secrecy can probably be explained by the fact that the diplomat was afraid for his safety. He obviously wanted to know first what his chances of asylum were before he finally broke with the regime. It is rare for high-ranking diplomats to switch sides. The most prominent case in recent years was the Russian UN ambassador Boris Bondarev in 2022. He resigned after Putin's invasion of Ukraine and also applied for asylum. He was under police protection for a while.
Adem Osman's life is unlikely to be easy either. The government's supporters hate the deserter. The opposition still sees him as a supporter of the dictator. The Swiss authorities have not confirmed the story for data protection reasons. And so the rumors about his departure continue to circulate. It's all about money: According to insiders, the Eritrean consulate in Geneva is anything but a normal diplomatic mission.
The consulate as a self-service shop for officials
All Eritreans living abroad must pay two percent of their income. This diaspora tax is an important source of income for the sole ruler Isaias Afewerki. Many do not want to pay this tax - but anyone who needs a service from the consulate is obliged to do so. In addition to the tax, the embassy charges horrendous fees and uses large campaigns to solicit donations. Adem Osman is said to have noticed that consulate employees were diverting funds on a large scale. When he stopped this abuse, he fell out with the clique of officials - that is what supporters of the Eritrean opposition in Switzerland say.
The case of the new ambassador shows how important it is for the foreign missions to collect money. is fundraising activities have made it onto Eritrean television. The new man in Geneva collected 12,845 francs in Solothurn, according to a news report by the state broadcaster. On April 1st, a large party was held in Gerlafingen by Eritreans loyal to the regime. On the sidelines of this event, there were massive riots that made headlines across Switzerland. "We have been criticizing for years that massive amounts of money are being collected for the regime at these festivals by those loyal to the regime," said opposition member Habteab Yemane. He is calling for such festivals to be banned.

The new ambassador to Switzerland visited all the cantons and collected a lot of money, according to the news report on Eri-TV. It meticulously lists how much money was collected in each of the cantons during this Tour de Suisse. 9127 francs in Lucerne, 6481 francs in Aarau and 4910 francs in St. Gallen - in total, Zerai is said to have collected over 50,000 francs for the state treasury in twelve cantons. The fact that he made it into the TV news shows one thing above all: how tight the regime is and how urgently those in power need foreign currency from abroad.