Eritrea at 32 years of independence is a remarkable journey worth celebrating. This year’s theme, “Heroic Feat Anchored on Cohesive Rank,” aptly captures the essence of the country’s long and inspiring journey. Over the past three decades, Eritrea has positioned itself as a self-reliant state committed to its own development and independence, as envisioned by President Isaias Afwerki in his seminal paper published in 1997.
By challenging the prevailing paradigm of long-term dependency on foreign aid, Eritrea has successfully empowered itself, built sustainable economic systems, and prioritized self-reliance. As the country commemorates its 32nd independence anniversary on 24, it stands out as a model country worth emulating.
Self-reliant State as opposed to aid-reliant State
In 1997, President Isaias published a seminal paper in the Forum for Applied Research & Public Policy titled “Foreign aid works when it is self-limiting.” In that paper, President Afwerki argues that long-term dependency on foreign aid can have negative consequences, and suggests that aid programs should instead focus on empowering recipient countries to become self-reliant and develop sustainable economic systems. After 26 years since the paper was published, it is safe to say that as Eritrea celebrates its 32nd independence anniversary, the country has remained faithful to the vision President Isaias outlined back then.
The country stopped requesting financial assistance from the United States in 2005, and finally, fully cut off all foreign NGOs that were financially sponsored by the United States after 2006. By 2007 when President Afwerki published that vision, Eritrea had rejected more than $200 million in aid, including food from the United Nations, development loans from the World Bank, and grants from international charities to build roads and deliver healthcare. As it is today, 32 years later, Eritrea is completely self-reliant, debt-free, and technologically savvy. In the words of a renowned Kenyan legislator, “Eritrea is a model that must be emulated by all African States.”
It is a fact that the current foreign aid architecture promoted in Africa entrenched a ‘beggar–master’ relationship. But Eritrea has since rejected this in favor of symmetric partnership in all its engagements with foreign partners. Symmetric partnerships, based on mutual respect and collaboration, have thus led to more sustainable and effective development outcomes for international organizations such as UNDP in Eritrea. African countries can benefit from adopting a similar approach to Eritrea, prioritizing self-reliance in their development policies.
Independent as opposed to a vessel state
Eritrea has, since independence 32 years ago, positioned itself as an independent state rather than a client or vessel state of foreign powers. Eritrea is committed to maintaining its sovereignty, making decisions based on its own national interests, and cultivating relationships with other nations on the basis of mutual respect and shared benefits. The country follows a policy of non-alignment and maintains its independence and autonomy in international affairs.
Eritrea is therefore perhaps the only truly independent country in Africa and the only one that casts doubt on the white man’s obsession with recolonizing Africa. And that has everything to do with Eritrea’s self-reliance policy. It avoids aligning itself exclusively with any particular power bloc or becoming heavily dependent on a single foreign patron.
It aims to build partnerships with countries across the globe and foster friendship and cooperation based on shared interests and mutual benefits, and its international and regional policies are guided by normative parameters, such as respect for sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and adherence to international law. These principles form the foundation of Eritrea’s diplomatic engagements and interactions with other nations.
Regional peacemaker and stabilizer
Eritrea has been involved in various peace initiatives and has played a significant role in supporting stability and reconciliation in the region. In Somalia, Eritrea has been involved in diplomatic efforts aimed at stabilizing the war-tone country. It has supported peace processes, facilitated talks between Somali factions, and hosted reconciliation conferences.
Eritrea has also been a key supporter of Ethiopia during times of conflict. Only recently, Eritrea stood by Ethiopia in the Western-backed TPLF conflict. This reflects the country’s shared interest in regional stability and countering the influence of external actors in the Horn of Africa region.
Pioneer of Multipolarity as opposed to Unipolarity
Eritrea’s President Afwerki is a bona fide pioneer of multipolarity who has consistently defended Eritrea’s sovereignty in the face of immense pressure from the US-led West over the three decades since independence. He foresaw long ago that the global systemic transition would inevitably shift towards multipolarity from its prior state of unipolarity.
Consequently, he refused to capitulate to the coercion exerted by the de facto New Cold War bloc against his country. Eritrea has since maintained a relatively independent foreign policy and has sought to diversify its alliances and partnerships to avoid heavy dependence on any single power. While the country has historical ties with countries like China and Russia, its engagement with them has not been as extensive as with some other regional actors.
Cultural Preservation as Opposed to Assimilation
Eritrea has committed the last 32 years to preserving its unique cultural identity and traditions, resisting external pressures of assimilation or cultural homogenization. Eritrea celebrates its diverse cultural heritage and encourages the recognition and promotion of its various ethnic groups, languages, and customs.
The country celebrates many festivals regularly every year, associated with its particular traditional, cultural, national, and religious background. The different religious festivals (including the annual Abune Teklehaimanot festival of Sen’afe), national festivals (such as the annual summer Expo festival, the biannual Eri-youth festival, festivals in the diaspora communities), and cultural festivals, each have significant national importance.
This stands in contrast to the challenges faced by many nations grappling with assimilation pressures that erode cultural identity, diversity, and heritage, due to external influences, globalization, or neglect, leading to the erosion of cultural identity and heritage.
Investment in local Capital as opposed to Brain Drain
Eritrea recognizes the importance of nurturing its youth and developing their skills and potential. One significant initiative in this regard is the National Service Program (NSP), which requires able-bodied Eritrean youths to serve in the military or in a civilian capacity for a specific period.
Through the NSP, young individuals have the opportunity to acquire valuable skills, cultivate a sense of national pride, and develop the attitudes necessary to defend Eritrea’s legitimate political and economic interests.
Conclusion
Eritrea’s remarkable development path can be described as a journey from liberation to transformation, achieved through the unwavering commitment to self-reliance. Over the past three decades, the country has successfully weaned itself from aid dependence to become debt-free, technologically advanced, and fully self-reliant. The country’s emphasis on empowering its citizens, preserving its cultural identity, and pursuing independent foreign policies has propelled its transformation and positioned it as a model for other African nations.
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