What peace will mean for Eritrea – Africa’s ‘North Korea’

Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki is being received by Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. [Photo/Courtesy]

Isaias Afwerki, the Eritrean president, has operated on the presumption that no-one would come to Eritrea’s aid after it launched its armed struggle for independence from Ethiopia in 1961. It was never entirely true, but they certainly didn’t have the support of any major power.

When Eritrea gained its independence in 1993 he saw no reason to alter his view. As a result, major international aid agencies were made unwelcome. Even the United Nations has found it difficult to work in the country.