The Eritrean capital, Asmara, saw an uprising on 21 January that was both unexpected and short-lived. Around 100 soldiers staged a mutiny and stormed the information ministry. The army responded by surrounding the building with tanks. After a 12-hour interruption, the state broadcast media resumed their normal programming, the mutineers withdrew and officials went home.
What really happened that day at the information ministry? Some information began to filter out the next day, and more has emerged since then. But it has not been easy to follow events as they happened. And establishing what this incident means and what it may bode for the future is even harder.
Eritrea is one of the world's most closed countries and has one of the last totalitarian dictatorships. The mystery surrounding the events of 21 January and the chorus of denials and contradictory comments on social networks are the logical consequence of a situation in which privately-owned media have been banned since 2001 and no foreign press correspondents have been permitted since 2010.
This Horn of Africa country is ranked last in the Reporters Without Borders press freedom index and is Africa's biggest prison for journalists, with at least 30 detained. Seven have died or committed suicide in detention as a result of the appalling conditions.
When the only media allowed to operate inside a country are government-run propaganda mouthpieces, the exile media play a key role. This is the case with Radio Erena, an independent radio station based in Paris and supported by Reporters Without Borders. It was Radio Erena that sounded the alert. We will get back to this. First the facts.
Mutineers take "Forto," state media interrupted
Early on the morning of 21 January, around 100 mutineers took up positions in the information ministry, an enormous ochre-coloured building known as "Forto," which sits atop a small hill overlooking Asmara.
The rebel soldiers quickly gathered all the employees "in the same room" and then Asmelash Abreha, the head of state-owned Eri-TV, which broadcasts from within the complex, was forced to begin reading a communiqué on the air.
The communiqué called for implementation of the 1997 constitution, which has been suspended since the 1998-2000 war against Ethiopia, and for the release of political prisoners and all those who were arrested while trying to flee the country illegally across its land borders.
After he had read the first two sentences, the TV station's over-the-air signal was suddenly cut and its satellite signal began broadcasting archive footage. Army tanks quickly surrounded the building. They also reportedly took up protective positions at the presidential palace, located just a few hundred metres away, and at the airport. The rest of the city apparently remained calm but communication with the outside world became very complicated.
"Snowing in Paris"
After being off the air all day, Eri-TV resumed broadcasting at around 10 p.m. with news from Europe. "Snow in Paris is disrupting the everyday activities of the French," the news programme announced. The mutineers withdrew in the evening, and the information ministry's 500 or so employees all went home. The next morning they were all back at work, as usual.
The 1993 precedent
According to reports from various sources, including the opposition exile website Awate.com, it seems that the mutiny was led by four people - Col. Saleh Osman, two majors and a captain - but was spontaneous and not very organized. Col Osman was a hero of the anti-Ethiopian resistance in the port city of Assab during the 1998-2000 war.
What happened to the mutineers and how was the situation resolved? The authorities did not make any arrests. "The mutineers withdrew peacefully," said journalist Léonard Vincent, the author of a book about Eritrea, speaking on Radio France Internationale. In fact, not a single shot was fired.
An Eritrean interviewed by Reporters Without Borders and Martin Plaut, in a post entitled "21 January in perspective" on his blog, both said the incident resembled one in 1993, a few days before Eritrea's independence declaration, when a few ex-fighters staged a brief mutiny to demand their back pay.
To this end, they surrounded the office of the future president, Issaias Afeworki, then a hero of the liberation and head of the single party, the People's Front for Democracy and Justice. The situation was quickly resolved by means of negotiation, but some of the ex-fighters were later arrested or disappeared.
But never since independence in 1993 has Eri-TV's programming been interrupted as it was on 21 January.
After official silence, comments, spin and denial
Although just embryonic and ephemeral, this week's uprising quickly drew the attention of the international community, foreign media and Eritrean diaspora because Eritrea is an extremely authoritarian country where fear is universal and any form of protest seems inconceivable.
At first there was complete silence from the government. The first official comment came the next day from Yemane Gebremeskel, the president's senior adviser, who said: "All is calm today, as it was indeed yesterday."
Comments followed from a few Eritrean officials based abroad, including the ambassador to the United Nations, Araya Desta; the ambassador to the African Union, Girma Asmerom; the ambassador to Japan; and the consuls in Australia and South Africa. All played down the incident and criticized "garbage reports" in foreign media in the pay of "Eritrea's enemies."
"The government is insisting that the situation is under control while reluctantly admitting that there was an incident," Léonard Vincent wrote.
Meanwhile, the exile opposition and government supporters waged a furious battle on social networks. Rahel Weldeab, who works for the pro-government National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students, ed: "People in Asmara are going about their daily lives while 'experts on the Horn' cry coup (...) I live right near the airport, nothing is happening."
Another person on Twitter criticized the comments about the human rights situation in Eritrea and said that freedom of information was respected because journalism is taught at school. The exact message says : "And you can be a journalist in Eritrea. They even teach journalism in school. I don't know wtf you talking about".
Radio Erena, first with the news
Amanuel Ghirmai, an Eritrean exile journalist with Radio Erena, was extensively quoted by all the international news media on 21 January. Throughout the day, international media turned to the Paris-based independent radio station to find out what was happening in Asmara.
And for good reason. Radio Erena was the first radio station to report that an incident was unfolding in the Eritrean capital. Alerted early in the morning, the station took to the air at 9 a.m. (Paris time), an hour earlier than usual, and continued to follow events as they happened.
With support from Reporters Without Borders, Radio Erena was launched in June 2009 by a group of Eritrean exile journalists. Headed by Biniam Simon, a former Eri-TV star anchor, it relies on a network of local correspondents and contributors. Its independently-reported news and information provide an alternative to the government's propaganda.
Because of its success and the quality of its programmes, Radio Erena quickly became a government target. Its satellite signal was jammed and its website was the victim of a cyber-attack last summer, after it had been broadcasting for three years.
More information about the jamming and the complaint that Reporters Without Borders filed with the judicial authorities in Paris:
After several months of seeking ways to elude such acts of sabotage, Radio Erena is back on the air in Eritrea and the neighbouring region (East Africa and the Arabian Peninsula), broadcasting daily on the shortwave (since 15 November) and by satellite (since 26 December).
Radio Erena can be heard every evening from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. (local time) on 11560 kHz on the shortwave.
It can also be received 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by satellite:
Satellite: 7 degrees West (Nilesat)
French-language media coverage of Radio Erena (September 2012 - January 2013)
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just wet see what really what happen that day before you make your stupid comment. Gov. cant do anything at this time the young they making the own choose which to leave the country that fine but you need to understand all this ppl leaving not the gov push them out, did any one saying anything about the Mexican in US they been crossing the border even before eritrea born explain that .....
Re: Reviewing Africa's Progress at 50 Years of OAU and AU- the case of Ethiopia- the seat of OAU and AU
It is becoming evident day by day that OAU and AU have not yet reached the aspiration of African people, to be free, prosperous and able to pursue happiness!
The case is in point is the very foundation and seat of AU, that is Ethiopia and the Horn, where some 250 million people have disintegrated over the years instead of integrating with each other and ther one billion people of Africans and people of African descent around the world.
The people of the Horn have continued to disintegrate instead of creating real social, economic and political integration the real purpose and vision of OAU, AU and now the United States of Africa.
The best example of this disintegration and move back to slavery and colonialism by few misguided and highly armed Lords of Poverty is now unraveling infront of us.
The continuing Somalia Crisis, the Sudan Crisis and now Egyptian, Tunisian, Libyan and Algerian, Mali and Central African Republic and not to forget the over 30 years of genocide and civil chaos taking place in DRC and Rwanda, etc is an excellent example of disintigration of Africans instead of integration.
The Ethiopian Airlines after 60 years of its existence is the only means of integration tha is operational in Africa between African countries. Africans do not tread with each other, nor visit each other as free, prosperous people seeking the pursuit of happiness in their lives.
When tiny Quatar has developed the Algezira Communications Network, Africa still does not have a well developed national, international communication network. The way this piece is portrayed here shows where Africa is interms of GPS.
GPS is Good Governance, Progressive Prosperity and Sustainable Seucrity for all the stakeholders.
Surely, this is a issue that AU at the 50th Anniversary should consider towards the integration of Africa or the formation of the United States of Africa.
Africa needs to get rid of all the criminals in power that terrorize its own people be it in the palaces or bushes or deserts of Africa.
The People of Africa deserve better than what the OAU and AU are doing today. The story filed in this report is the true picture of chaoes, disconnection and misinformation that is raging in Africa. We need to change this landscape of hopeless ness and self denial and out right stupidity.
The old guard have to let the young educated and talented leaders take over. What the US Presidential Inaguration shows is that an African can make it any where in the world given the opportunity that the US gave President Obama. Africans have to wake up and stop this type of outright stupidity, where information is perverted out of reality. We do not even know what is happening in Africa, leave alone move in a coheret intelligent way towards liberty, prosperity and the persuit of happiness.
If Obama can make it in the USA, an African should be able to make it in AU or the United States of Africa.
Let us retire the Geriatric Lords of Poverty in Africa and open opportunities for Women and the Youths of Africa that are becoming victims of all sorts of terrorists from Arabia, Europe and Asia masquerading as all sorts of liberators for Africa.
The incident of 21 January 2013 in Asmara is a case in point about where Africa is moving. We can change this hopelessness.
Just imagine asking to have a Constitutional Order and redress of the very people who created the current state of affairs who are languishing in hot cotainer prisons! cannot be verified form all the satellite and Social Media Networks? is where tragically Africa is today!
We need GPS, that is Good Governance- ARTs (Accountability, Responsiveness, Transparency and Sustainable Security!
As we celebrate the achievements of OAU for the past 50 years, remember, the political independence was a suicide for few leaders who were massacred by their own people , and the Economic Freed of Africa and People of African Descent is yet to take place.
This is the challenge of the One Billion of People of African Descent and trust President Obama will do his part in this Great Vision for Africa
with regards and seeking your alternative perspective, I remain;
Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH www.GlobalBelaiJesius.com
Re: Reviewing Africa's Progress at 50 Years of OAU and AU- towards the United States of Africa-the case of Ethiopia- the seat of OAU and AU
It is becoming evident day by day that OAU and AU have not yet reached the aspiration of African people, to be free, prosperous and able to pursue happiness! within the construct of the United States of Africa and People of African Descent around the world!
The case is in point is the very foundation and seat of AU, that is Ethiopia and the Horn, where some 250 million people have disintegrated over the years instead of integrating with each other and ther one billion people of Africans and people of African descent around the world.
The African people and especially the seat of AU-The people of the Horn have continued to disintegrate instead of creating real social, economic and political integration the real purpose and vision of OAU, AU and now the United States of Africa.
The best example of this disintegration and move back to slavery and colonialism propagated ad facilitated by few misguided and highly armed Lords of Poverty is now unraveling infront of us. The Asmara fiasco of 21 Janury 2013 the purpose of this article is a case in point.
Just read carefully this report and it looks like a very good screen play for the Modern Africa Comedy and Tragedy Play at the Oscars!
The continuing crisi in the Horn and Rift Valley System and now the African Magreb such as the Somalia Crisis, the Sudan Crisis and now Egyptian, Tunisian, Libyan and Algerian, Mali and Central African Republic Crises and not to forget the over 30 years of genocide and civil chaos taking place in DRC and Rwanda, etc is an excellent example of disintigration of Africans instead of integration.
The only viable Trans Africa communication is the Ethiopian Airlines. The Ethiopian Airlines after 60 years of its existence is the only means of integration that is operational in Africa between African countries. Africans do not tread with each other, nor visit each other as free, prosperous people seeking the pursuit of happiness in their lives.
When tiny Quatar has developed the Algezira Communications Network, Africa still does not have a well developed national, international communication network. We still get second hand information that has been spun out of reality by a series of editors to reflect their perspectives! The way this piece is portrayed here shows where Africa is interms of GPS.
GPS is Good Governance, Progressive Prosperity and Sustainable Seucrity for all the stakeholders. Africa needs Good Governance, Trade and Investment and creative jobs for all its youths who make up more than two thirds of its population. The future of the continent are being recruited by this terrorist Lords/Alah's Army for suicide and homicides and crimes against humanity! This is not sustainable.
Surely, this is am\n issue that AU at the 50th Anniversary should consider towards the integration of Africa or the formation of the United States of Africa. Get the Davos Group back to Africa and discuss the future of Africa or the next 50 years. For heavens sake, get the youth and retire the demented Geriatric Lords of Poverty!
Africa needs to get rid of all the criminals in power that terrorize its own people be it in the palaces or bushes or deserts of Africa.
The People of Africa deserve better than what the OAU and AU are doing today. The story filed in this report is the true picture of chaoes, disconnection and misinformation that is raging in Africa. We need to change this landscape of hopeless ness and self denial and out right stupidity.
The old guard have to let the young educated and talented leaders take over. What the US Presidential Inaguration shows is that an African can make it any where in the world given the opportunity that the US gave President Obama. Africans have to wake up and stop this type of outright stupidity, where information is perverted out of reality. We do not even know what is happening in Africa, leave alone move in a coheret intelligent way towards liberty, prosperity and the persuit of happiness.
If Obama can make it in the USA, an African should be able to make it in AU or the United States of Africa.
Let us retire the Geriatric Lords of Poverty in Africa and open opportunities for Women and the Youths of Africa that are becoming victims of all sorts of terrorists from Arabia, Europe and Asia masquerading as all sorts of liberators for Africa.
The incident of 21 January 2013 in Asmara is a case in point about where Africa is moving. We can change this hopelessness.
Just imagine asking to have a Constitutional Order and redress of the very people who created the current state of affairs who are languishing in hot cotainer prisons! cannot be verified form all the satellite and Social Media Networks? is where tragically Africa is today!
We need GPS, that is Good Governance- ARTs (Accountability, Responsiveness, Transparency and Sustainable Security!
As we celebrate the achievements of OAU for the past 50 years, remember, the political independence was a suicide for few leaders who were massacred by their own people , and the Economic Freed of Africa and People of African Descent is yet to take place.
This is the challenge of the One Billion of People of African Descent and trust President Obama will do his part in this Great Vision for Africa
with regards and seeking your alternative perspective, I remain;
Belai Habte-Jesus, MD, MPH www.GlobalBelaiJesius.com
time is running to change or face the fate of gadafi and others ... i would like to gongratult the breav eritreans who startes the fall of the killer issayas
Our stupid leaders think that everyone is behind them. They hold meetings and perform some staged drama with a few of their supporters and try to tell everyone it is all good. Well it is not. When thousands flee the country every month, it is not. When there is no power, water and bread and food is rationed - IT IS NOT GOOD. The president makes a speech and talks about THE COLD WAR, SOMALIA, ETHIOPIA in a set of prepared questions. He loves to do world political analysis when his backyard is a mess. The recent events is a good example of the hidden problems inside the army. I don't know if the president has seen the clips of Gaddafi's last days - that is what is awaiting him.