Eritrea, located in the Horn of Africa between Sudan, Ethiopia, and Djibouti, achieved independence from Ethiopia in 1993 following a three-decade conflict. The country has remained under the authoritarian rule of Isaias Afwerki, who led separatist forces to victory in 1991 and assumed the presidency upon independence. As the sole legal entity, the People’s Front for Democracy and Justice governs the nation, and no national elections have occurred since sovereignty was established.
The governmental structure reflects repressive policies documented by international observers. A constitution adopted in 1997 has never been implemented despite nearly three decades passing. Independent newspapers were eliminated in 2001 following publication of an open letter by senior officials requesting constitutional implementation and electoral processes. The state maintains extensive control over expression, religion, and political activity, contributing to Eritrea’s designation as one of the world’s most secretive and repressive regimes.
Militarization defines the national infrastructure, with compulsory service requirements mandating final-year secondary students attend military training centers. Citizens subsequently serve in military units or civilian roles for extended periods. These policies have driven significant emigration, with estimates suggesting up to one-third of the Eritrean-born population resides abroad. Eritreans represented the most prevalent nationality arriving via small boat to the UK in the period ending June 2026.
Diplomatically, tensions have escalated recently regarding border disputes with Ethiopia. Earlier this year, Eritrea withdrew cooperation with the UK on migrant returns. On Thursday, UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced potential visa restrictions on all Eritreans unless the government accepted more rejected asylum seekers and deportees. Both nations have accused each other of military aggression, with Ethiopia claiming Eritrean troops penetrated 60 kilometers into its northern Tigray region. Eritrea has denied these allegations, characterizing them as fabrications designed to justify military action.
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