The United Nations Commission of Inquiry (COI) on human rights said the government of President Isaias Afwerki, in power since 1991, was guilty of systematic enslavement, forcible conscription and other abuses.

 “We probably think that there are three to four hundred thousand people who have been enslaved,” chief investigator Mike Smith told journalists in Geneva.

Representatives of seven non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the UK and Ireland joined members of the Eritrean diaspora in a protest vigil outside the Eritrean embassy in London on 19 May, to commemorate the 14th anniversary of the imposition of severe restrictions on churches in Eritrea.

Christian detainees are now said to number in the hundreds and also include members of the three sanctioned churches. The most high-profile is Abune Antonios, the legitimate patriarch of the Eritrean Orthodox Church who in 2007 was put under house arrest and illegally replaced by Bishop Dioscoros, a clergyman approved of by the Eritrean government but unrecognised by the Orthodox papacy.

Eritrea marks 25 years of independence from Ethiopia this month. It is now one of the most underdeveloped countries in the world and is run by a repressive government. The Conversation Africa’s politics and society editor, Thabo Leshilo, asked Valerie Frank* to shed light on the secretive country as it marks this milestone.

At 25, Eritrea needs to take decisive steps to embed democracy and the rule of law in the country. Such a move would advance respect for human rights, while further empowering the people and bridging the gaps between aspirations and reality. I call on the Government to do more to respect, protect and fulfil human rights and to establish the rule of law.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) appears to be constructing a new port next to Assab International Airport in Eritrea, which could become its first permanent military base in a foreign country.

Satellite imagery shows rapid progress has been made since work began sometime after September 2015. A square of coastline measuring about 250x250 m has already been excavated and dredged, while a pier and/or breakwater is being constructed and already extends over 700 m from the original coastline.

The most complete report describes a scene of utter chaos and desperation. Its version of the carnage goes like this: As a truck full of conscripts passed through the capital city of Asmara, two jumped out and were immediately shot by guards in the truck. Then, just down the road, a more planned breakaway happened.