President Isaias Afewerki: The Founding Father

These men, who were led by Isaias Afwerki (yellow arrow), left ELF to create what would arguably be one of the greatest revolution in modern history. They rejected tribalism, religious fundamentalism and sexism. They believed in equality and in empowering women. But above all, they believed in self reliance. When this picture was taken in 1974, all of Eritrea's independence hopes rested on the shoulders of a confident 27-year-old Isaias. He took on the challenge and led Eritrea to victory. 

President Isaias Afewerki: The Founding Father

By Bereket Kidane,

It is common knowledge that President Isaias Afewerki (PIA) is the founding father of the Eritrean State. The objective evidence for that assertion is overwhelming. The Eritrean Liberation Front, with whom PIA started as a combatant, was riddled with tribalism and sectarianism in the 1960s and early 70s. It was only when he and his comrades split from the ELF and founded the EPLF that the Eritrean people became united and shed tribal and religious thinking. His record of accomplishment as the Secretary General of the EPLF and the first President of Eritrea is extraordinary.  PIA truly has been and still is Eritrea’s “Indispensable Man,” the essential man not only in winning independence  but also in successfully keeping Eritrea united and sovereign during its early vulnerable years.

People today forget how close the Eritrean sovereignty came to being put at great risk as a result of the extraordinary betrayals witnessed during Weyane’s Western-backed invasion. PIA was critical in preventing the collapse of the Eritrean State. Without his great skill as a unifier and without his charisma and vision, Eritrea would not exist today. It is a record of leadership without parallel in Africa or the Middle East. For that, he will always occupy a permanent place in the pantheon of Eritrean heroes.

He is also the essential man in guiding Eritrea at this juncture of its history. He has proven to be incorruptible. He leads by example. He is clearly the greatest Eritrean of his age and has been an inspirational figure worthy of both admiration and affection for nearly half a century now since he interrupted his university studies and dedicated his life to freeing his people. Resolute, determined and possessing a backbone made of steel, PIA is the rarest of men, a realistic visionary who combines a realistic view of human nature with a vision of what a free and united Eritrea could be for posterity. He has dedicated his entire life to making that vision a reality.

The West has always tried to undermine leaders of developing countries who can’t be bought and jealously guard their country’s resources while keeping their people united. In Eritrea’s case, they have tried everything to bring the government and its people down using their favorite useful idiot, Weyane. Although no one is above reproach, we have seen how Weyanes and their lackeys attack PIA, tegadeltis and even Hamid Idriss Awate (you can expect those attacks around September 1) as an indirect and sometimes direct way of attacking the very notion of a sovereign Eritrea. For all intents and purposes, an attack on PIA is an attack on the very notion of a sovereign Eritrea. For that reason, he will always be us and we will always be him.

Picture of Isaias in 1967 at the Nanjing Military College in China. The ELF sent him along with four other fighters to study political ideologies and guerrilla warfare. Standing L-R: 5th Isaias Afwerki, 6th Mahmoud Ibrahim Chekini/Cecchini, martyred 1972, 7th Ramadan Mohammed Nur, 9th Ahmed Adem Omer. Sitting L-R: 3rd Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed

Sponsored Ads