Abstract
In 1993, the whole world was impressed by the state-of-the-art independence of Eritrea. Everything seemed to have been done by the rules : a declaration of independence in 1991, a notification to the UN and a referendum two years later. Being the last war of independence of Africa, it is tempting to assume that Eritreans would learn the lessons from the past and present themselves from adopting an authoritarian, post-independence regime such as the FLN in Algeria. However, the current situation contradicts such an optimistic prediction : since 1993 the same president (Isaias Afewerki) and the same party (Popular Front for Democracy and Justice) are in power. There is indeed a national assembly, but since Eritrea's independence the elections have always been postponed. Eritrea is considered one of the worst countries concerning freedom of the press, and seems to contribute to destabilization in East Africa.
