Many Americans are knowledgable about the island nation of Cuba, which despite an economic embargo and political isolation by the US government, has remained one of the global South's success stories in social development. Cuba's universal healthcare system was featured prominently by Michael Moore in his popular film "Sicko".
Less of us however, have heard about a small country thousands of miles away in Africa called Eritrea, that in many ways continues to be just as controversial as Cuba to political analysts.
Eritrean guerrillas organized against the Ethiopian government in 1961 to liberate their nation through armed struggle. 18 years later the nation is perceived as a thorn in the side of the United States military and global financial institutions which are prevalent throughout East Africa.
America's closest strategic ally Ethiopia is Eritrea's sworn enemy and its former occupier. While Eritrea has no formal embargo on it imposed by the US, there has been an offical blockade of arms sales. Despite persistent threats, America has not yet added Eritrea to the list of State Terrorist Sponsors to which Cuba belongs.
For supporters, Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki is a symbol of anti-imperialim and self-reliance, but critics say he is an autocrat whose government stifles internal dissent and supports armed resistance movements in neighboring countries. An East African bloc within the United Nations went as far as calling for sanctions agains Eritrea because of its alledged support of rebels in nextdoor Somalia. The Eritrean government refutes the claims.
The parallels between Cuba and Eritrea are not lost on Eritrea's President, Isaias Afwerki, aformer guerilla leader who fought in a decades long liberation war against Ethiopia. In a recent statement to the press Afwerki remarked,
"I don't know Cuba, but I admire their resilience...Being near the United States, and the United States blockading this country for so many decades, how were they able to do it? How was it possible for them to have the best scientists in biotechnology, the best health services?"
According to the latest World Health Organization report, life expectancy for Eritrean females has increased from 53 years in 1990 to 65 years in 2007. Amongst Eritrean males the expected life span increased from 28 years to 61 years. The drastic improvement in life expectancy can be attributed to the end of the conflict with Ethiopia, but an increase in disposible income is also an important factor. Eritrea has made significant gains in the areas of health and education.
The government has also mobilized a concentrated effort to eradicate poverty and to ensure food security. In an East African region where most countries share close strategic military and economic relationships with the United States, the Government of Eritrea pursues strict adherence to the principle of self-reliance.
Throughout Africa, economic policies are usually designed by foreign investors and technocrats through the World Bank or International Monetary Fund. In Eritrea, economic policy is largely determined by mandate from the leading political party, People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).The strength of Eritrea's committed strategy of "self-reliance" is reinforced by statements from the US Agency for Interntional Development (USAID).
"The ability of Eritrea to pursue developmental programs in the midst of conflict, massive population displacement, and drought is due primarily to intense national commitment, reinforced with an approach to development assistance designed to enhance self-reliance."
On May 24th, Eritreans will celebrate 18 years of political and economic independence. Love or hate the nation's politics, it is hard to deny the symbol Eritrea represents in the context of East Africa. Like Cuba in Latin America, Eritrea is Africa's hard-headed son who defies all conventional wisdom in international politics--- against incredible odds.
Less of us however, have heard about a small country thousands of miles away in Africa called Eritrea, that in many ways continues to be just as controversial as Cuba to political analysts.
Eritrean guerrillas organized against the Ethiopian government in 1961 to liberate their nation through armed struggle. 18 years later the nation is perceived as a thorn in the side of the United States military and global financial institutions which are prevalent throughout East Africa.
America's closest strategic ally Ethiopia is Eritrea's sworn enemy and its former occupier. While Eritrea has no formal embargo on it imposed by the US, there has been an offical blockade of arms sales. Despite persistent threats, America has not yet added Eritrea to the list of State Terrorist Sponsors to which Cuba belongs.
For supporters, Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki is a symbol of anti-imperialim and self-reliance, but critics say he is an autocrat whose government stifles internal dissent and supports armed resistance movements in neighboring countries. An East African bloc within the United Nations went as far as calling for sanctions agains Eritrea because of its alledged support of rebels in nextdoor Somalia. The Eritrean government refutes the claims.
The parallels between Cuba and Eritrea are not lost on Eritrea's President, Isaias Afwerki, aformer guerilla leader who fought in a decades long liberation war against Ethiopia. In a recent statement to the press Afwerki remarked,
"I don't know Cuba, but I admire their resilience...Being near the United States, and the United States blockading this country for so many decades, how were they able to do it? How was it possible for them to have the best scientists in biotechnology, the best health services?"
According to the latest World Health Organization report, life expectancy for Eritrean females has increased from 53 years in 1990 to 65 years in 2007. Amongst Eritrean males the expected life span increased from 28 years to 61 years. The drastic improvement in life expectancy can be attributed to the end of the conflict with Ethiopia, but an increase in disposible income is also an important factor. Eritrea has made significant gains in the areas of health and education.
The government has also mobilized a concentrated effort to eradicate poverty and to ensure food security. In an East African region where most countries share close strategic military and economic relationships with the United States, the Government of Eritrea pursues strict adherence to the principle of self-reliance.
Throughout Africa, economic policies are usually designed by foreign investors and technocrats through the World Bank or International Monetary Fund. In Eritrea, economic policy is largely determined by mandate from the leading political party, People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ).The strength of Eritrea's committed strategy of "self-reliance" is reinforced by statements from the US Agency for Interntional Development (USAID).
"The ability of Eritrea to pursue developmental programs in the midst of conflict, massive population displacement, and drought is due primarily to intense national commitment, reinforced with an approach to development assistance designed to enhance self-reliance."
On May 24th, Eritreans will celebrate 18 years of political and economic independence. Love or hate the nation's politics, it is hard to deny the symbol Eritrea represents in the context of East Africa. Like Cuba in Latin America, Eritrea is Africa's hard-headed son who defies all conventional wisdom in international politics--- against incredible odds.
Thanks for the article and trying to decipher things.
ReplyDeleteA good start will be to listen to the 30min NPR interview (link below) with the Financial times journalist Michela Wrong, about her book " I Didn't Do It For You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation". It is highly recommended read to give you some understanding of what has gone before in Eritrea/ Ethiopia that lead to the current circumstances.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4729800
And what they don't want you to know.
http://www.slate.com/id/2178793/
http://tinyurl.com/djt9yu
It is truly disgraceful behaviour on the parts of AU and UN that are acting as rubber stamps for all sorts of interference from outside, but happily look the other way, even cover up heinous crimes.
Here are some links that you would not see much in the main media.
Illegal invasion of Somalia with UN and US complicity
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7VJka6q16Os
Somalia Crisis worse than Darfur, says UN
http://tinyurl.com/cern3e
Ethiopia's 'own Darfur' as villagers flee government-backed violence
http://tinyurl.com/ysmvtc
Ethiopia: Army Commits Executions, Torture, and Rape in Ogaden
Donors Should Act to Stop Crimes Against Humanity
http://tinyurl.com/cg4ygx
"Quote from Human Rights Watch" from the report above
"Western governments and institutions alone, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, give at least US$2 billion in aid to Ethiopia annually, but have remained silent on the widespread abuses being committed"
The hypocrisy is unbearable.
conventional wisdom is not the correct term. it is an oppressive wisdom led of course by the west, that seeks to dictate the workings of everybody else. and those that choose not to accept, are inevitably threats. to buck this "wisdom" and still achieve success means that you must be doing something abusive or threatening to the greater global good. it seems to me that that is how its played. this was a great post. i was unaware of the success that this state has seen and i look forward to reading more.
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