Eritrea Country Report

A small country in the Horn of Africa, Eritrea has enjoyed relative political stability under the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), and its autocratic leader Isaias Afewerki. However, the authoritarian regime of Afewerki has failed to implement the constitution that was drafted after independence and has repeatedly postponed presidential elections citing a threat to national security. The government controls all media outlets in the country and aggressively represses any form of political dissent. A well-organized political opposition in exile has largely failed in challenging the regime domestically.

The current economic situation in the country is bleak and the majority of Eritreans live in poverty. The investment climate has historically been undermined by state authoritarian rule, poor infrastructure, and international sanctions, although the removal of UN sanctions in November 2018 and rapprochement with Ethiopia have recently led to a slight improvement in investor confidence.

The country's border regions have also proved to be unstable and Eritrea has a history of clashing with its neighbors over territorial disputes. In June 2018, Eritrea began a rapprochement process with Ethiopia after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed announced that his government would cede the town of Badme to Eritrea, ending the two countries' 20-year border dispute. The rapid thawing of tensions led to the reinstallation of telephone connections and direct commercial flights between the two countries. However, the border between Eritrea and Ethiopia remains closed with a high presence of Eritrean armed forces across the border after Ethiopia launched a military operation against the Tigrean People's Liberation Front (TPLF) in the Tigray region. Moreover, Eritrea's border dispute with Djibouti remains unresolved and continues to be a source of instability in the east of the country.

Although roads between major cities are generally paved, the country's road network remains underdeveloped and many border and remote areas suffer from significant landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination. The movement of foreign nationals within the country continues to be restricted and a permit is required for foreigners traveling outside of Asmara.

The primary threats to foreign travelers in Eritrea come from state surveillance, road traffic collisions, and health hazards. Levels of criminal activity tend to be a relatively low and violent crime is uncommon, although there is anecdotal evidence that crime has been slowly increasing in recent years. Armed rebel and militia groups are known to operate in some border areas, including along the borders with Sudan and Ethiopia.

Eritrea entered a state of cold war with Ethiopia following the end of their border conflict in 2000, resulting in a heavily-militarized border which saw sporadic clashes and conflict flare-ups. However, since the Ethiopian government announced that it would be ceding the disputed territories to Eritrea in June 2018, there has been a significant reduction in tensions along the border.

The border dispute with Djibouti which erupted in conflict following an incursion by Eritrean forces in 2008 remains unresolved and continues to be a source of instability in the south of the country. Tensions escalated following the withdrawal of Qatari peacekeepers in June 2017 but there have been recent moves towards a resolution of the dispute.

Levels of criminal activity in Eritrea are low by regional standards but have been on the rise in recent years. The crime threat environment is generally characterized by petty theft as well as occasional robberies in the early hours. However, there have also been occasional reports of carjackings, residential burglaries and assaults.

Unrest is rare due to repressive government policies coupled with a pervasive security apparatus that has consistently demonstrated a willingness to respond aggressively to all forms of protest.

Concerns over the regulatory oversight of Eritrea's civil aviation industry have led to the country's airlines being banned from operating in the European Union. However, several reputable international carriers, including Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines and Emirates, provide regular flights to Asmara International Airport (ASM). Facilities at ASM are basic by international standards and security measures at the airport are generally considered to be inadequate.

Poor road conditions and limited adherence to traffic regulations make self-driving particularly challenging for foreign travelers in Eritrea and road travel in the country is generally considered to be hazardous. Many roads in rural areas can become impassable during the rainy season and can be especially dangerous in wet weather due to tight bends and steep drops.

Eritrea's electricity infrastructure remains concentrated in urban centers, although access has been improving in recent years. However, demand has continued to outstrip electricity generation resulting in frequent outages and load shedding. Internet penetration rates also remain low, with most access limited to the capital and characterized by slow speeds, and communications are believed to be routinely monitored by government security agencies.

Eritrea's climate varies by region and elevation, with highland areas, including Asmara, typically having a temperate climate while lower areas on the coast and in the west remain arid. The rainy season affects the plateau areas, such as Asmara, between late June and early September, and coastal areas from December to February. The country is vulnerable to the El Nino weather pattern that can exacerbate droughts and heighten the impact of delayed rains.

Eritrea is also located in a seismically active region, with periodic earthquakes recorded with the potential to trigger eruptions from the mostly dormant volcanoes in the country’s southern regions.

Landmine and unexploded ordnance contamination remains high in Eritrea, with only around 25 percent of known minefields having been cleared.

Malaria and other vector-borne diseases such as dengue fever, filariasis, leishmaniasis and onchocerciasis (river blindness) are a concern in Eritrea, as are rabies, tuberculosis, hepatitis A and B and cholera. Healthcare facilities in the country are limited, particularly outside of the capital, and medical evacuations are generally required for serious injuries or medical cases. Only basic pharmaceuticals are available, even in Asmara, and many prescription drugs are in limited supply. Tap water is not considered safe for consumption.

Eritrea’s political spectrum continues to be dominated by President Afewerki and the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), which has crushed all forms of dissent and faces limited domestic challenges. Rule of law is also extremely limited, with the judiciary closely aligned with the regime and the security apparatus able to detain anyone indefinitely without charge. The US government imposed sanctions on the Chief staff of the Eritrean Defense Forces (EDF), Filipos Woldeyohannes, for leading an entity accused of "despicable acts" including massacres, widespread sexual assault, and the executions in Ethiopia's Tigray region. The US repeatedly calls for Eritrean troops' withdrawal from the Tigray region. Eritrean troops entered Tigray in November 2020 in support of the federal forces of Ethiopia.