6.2 Eritrea
Eritrea lies along the Red Sea in the northernmost area of the region known as the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia, however, is landlocked and has no direct access to any sea ports. During the long reign of Abyssinia, religion became an important influence and divided the empire. The Eritrean and Ethiopian cultures split into Semitic/Christian in Ethiopia and Muslim in Eritrea. These divisions should not be oversimplified and it must be understood that no two regions were then, or are now, exclusive in their religious composition. Broadly speaking, the highlands of Eritrea were occupied by the Christian elements while the lowlands where inhabited by the Muslim populations. Ethiopia, however, is one of the oldest Christian civilizations and to this day has one of the oldest Jewish communities. In order to understand the current conflicts and allegiances in the region today, the religious divide must be considered.
Key Issues of Muslims in Eritrea
Ongoing conflict
The area comprising Eritrea and Ethiopia has been in periodic conflict for decades and seems prime for resurgence due to drought conditions, economic issues and belligerent claims of land ownership. There are a number of areas along the border between these two states that are currently still at issue. As both Eritrea and Ethiopia pour weapons and support into Somalia, so too do other nations such as Iran, Syria, Sudan, and other Islamic regimes. The conflict over the Eritrean and Ethiopian border could wait in the wings until developments in Somalia create a more advantageous environment for aggression.
6.2 Eritrea
Environmental Problems
The environmental impacts of the sustained historical conflicts and the current tension are many. There are environmental problems that affect the habitat of people and the culture of people as well. During conflict and war, countries are forced to divert resources from economic and social utility to war utility. This shift in resources always puts a great strain on the general population but in East Africa, the impact is especially great due to the lack of total resources present. When resources are diverted to support war, the people are left to rely more on natural resources and are often forced to increase deforestation and develop land that would otherwise remain unaffected.
Level of Human Rights Abuse
The level of human rights abuses by the PFDJ regime has long reached every quarter of Eritrea and every section of the Eritrean society, including religious institutions that were once allowed to practice their religious activities under lesser scrutiny. Large scale injustices are committed not only against perceived and real political opponents, but also against citizens imprisoned for non-political reasons, and yet never brought to justice to be proven "guilty" or "innocent" of their alleged crime.
Deteriorating Political Situation
Talk to anyone who has recently been to or fled from Eritrea about conditions there and you would hear that things are not going so well. While one might argue that things are that way in the entire world today, Eritrea is truly a different story. The country's population was a meager 5.4 million in 2011 according to the World Bank (www.worldbank.org). But even those numbers seem inaccurate. Many have fled and continue to flee since...
6.2 Eritrea
...the new regime took over in 1993. Soon President Isias Afewerki, who has taken over in 1993, is not going to have anyone to rule over. Most of the country's youth are either in indefinite conscription or have fled to the first country that would grant them asylum.
Marginalization of Eritrean Muslims in Eritrean
An argument with only statistical emphasis won't solve our problems. Statistics are useful and can support an argument, but they are not enough if they are not backed by historical and social perspectives of the problem and, above all, they won't be helpful if they fail to recognize any internal factors.
Marginalization of Eritrean Muslims in Eritrean
An argument with only statistical emphasis won't solve our problems. Statistics are useful and can support an argument, but they are not enough if they are not backed by historical and social perspectives of the problem and, above all, they won't be helpful if they fail to recognize any internal factors.
Historical Perspective
Emperor Haile Selassie initiated the policy of marginalization of Muslims in Eritrea. Just after taking power, the EPRDF authorities revealed a memo from the days of the late emperor in which he instructs his ministers to undermine Muslims.
6.2 Eritrea
Social Perspective
There had been a backward attitude towards modern education among many Eritrean Muslim families. With the exception of a few, families were reluctant to send their children to school for fear they might abandon their own religion. The issue of teaching girls was even worse
Internal Marginalization
The other internal factor involved in the marginalization of Eritrean Muslims is connected to Muslims on Muslim relations; Muslims have also been marginalizing one another. Instead of using their diversity positively, they have used it negatively. Tribalism still exists among them. As a result, certain Muslims are doubly marginalized.