Isaias Afewerki Greed and Selfishness Finally Hits The Fan
Why did the generals, colonels and ministers want to overthrow their master after all those years of serving him and benefiting from his rule? Why are they trying to distance themselves from him at this
Why did the generals, colonels and ministers want to overthrow their master after all those years of serving him and benefiting from his rule? Why are they trying to distance themselves from him at this time? What changed that promoted reform?
The latest uprising against Isaias Afewerki boils down to money and greed, the high ranking military leaders can no longer bear to witness Isaias stash mega cash into his bank accounts while the generals and ministers left out from the big gold rush bonanza. (This is not to say there are no decent and patriotic Eritreans among them)
Isaias’s greed and self-interest is well known and documented despite his conscious effort to hoodwink the public otherwise with his illusionary tricks. In his tyrannical arsenal greed is his weakest link that will most probably bring him down as we are witnessing with the current situation unfolding in Eritrea in an effort by some of his ones trusted beneficiaries to overthrow him.
Yes it’s the economy of some of the generals, colonels and ministers who use to serve Isaias that caused this latest problem for Isaias. Economy of the generals and ministers, who served their master Isaias did not change while their master economy did. Let me explain.
Can you imagine the generals and ministers uprising against their master if their master wasn’t extremely greed and share the money he has being stashing and hiding with them? I don’t think so. (Again this is not to say there are no decent and patriotic Eritreans among them)
We are somewhat lucky Isaias Afewerki is one extremely greedy and selfish ruler, because if he had played the game smartly, like not being greedy he could have been in power for the rest of his life. Like Gambino one and only mafia godfather who lead his crime organisation for over 50 years until his natural death, he lead the New York mafia organisation without any assassination or overthrowing attempted by his employees or rivals, the reason being simply his unselfish leadership creed.
Isaias Afewerki is a billionaire and his wealth has being rising astronomically ever since the industrialized mining began in the last 3 years. Eritrea’s economy has being growing between 8% to 11% in the last 3 years according to IMF, World Bank and other economic indicators. Now where has the money gone? Economy growth above 5% is considered an economic boom in a normal country, but in Eritrea 11% economic growth become deep reception and hyperinflation, how and why? Cronyism and corruption prime answers.
We have to realize that the Eritrean problem is a collective problem, maybe not equally but we all are to be blamed for what Eritrea has become. Reform, justice and national reconciliation are badly needed without it there is no hope what so ever.
Eng. Filmon H Yohannes
jonah January 25, 2013
Good article but light on substance. Is there any proof that Issias has Billion in bank account? Also, is there any source for the information that generals, etc are angry because Issias is not sharing the wealth? From news outlet it seems to say they want the constitution to be implemented and political prisoners to be released.. if you are angry about money, why not just topple government and get all the money? I am sure if money was a big factor in this coup or protest it has more to do with general hopelessness in the country..
Asgedet January 25, 2013
This is the most lame article I have ever read in a while. The regime is crumbling simply because the critical mass can not carry the threshold any longer. Here is the deal: suppose you’re a physician attending a critically ill patient and as you assess his situation to come up with a solution, you would try to manage the vital signs where the constitutional signs (such as fever, malaise and others) are symptoms not the ills per see. By the same token, Isaias could be greedy but what he has done to the country and the people is more of a cause to his down fall as opposed to his vice or weakness (extreme greed).
aba chegora January 26, 2013
Selam asgedet,
I fully agree with you. The article is as lame as it can get. I understand his frustration though.
Halafi Mengedi January 26, 2013
I ain’t a Nurse nor am I a physician but from your analogy you sound like you are in the medical profession. I like your analogy.
belay nega January 25, 2013
YOU GETTING TOO EMMOTIONAL YOU CANNOT PROVE P.E.A IS A MILLIONER.
Senhit January 26, 2013
President Isayas Afewerki gets paid only 2,000 Nakfa. How come he became a millionaire. You can blame him for other things, but not for greediness. He didn’t even have enough money to build his own house. This is the fact that I know. Guys, let’s try to talk only about the facts in our country.
Abiel January 26, 2013
Senu,do you honestly think, his only income is the nominal salary of 2000.00 Nakfa? I think u need to be reminded the fact that Issayas can pay him self as much as he want no one would audit his account and qusetion his integrity as he an absolute dictator who is leading the country with no consttiution who cannot be questioned in court of justice for any disputes or inappropriate actions.
eritrawi January 26, 2013
Mister, It is a bad politics or move as this time to accuse the general. By doing so, you are serving the dictator. If you believe change had to come through within, then you should encourage the Colonels, and the generals. Most Eritreans agree the Colonel who led the Mutiny is a hero. If you want to talk about Greedy, know the right time to do so. Learn from South Africa and Egypt. Do you have any evidence that essyas is accumulating billions at the banks? Dou you know how much money is needed to run over 300 thousand soldiers? I am not saying he does not. The economy had hit bottom and the increase is indication of that. Also take inflation in to consideration. My friend Learn to move forward. You do not need as this time to go back ward and spent un necessary time on analysis. As this time give a support to the Colonel who had led the mutiny and encourage the generals to follow suit. Work to bring the generals under one umbrella. So we do not immerse ourselves in to civil war.
Dawit Meconen January 26, 2013
Isaias Afewerki is a seclusive and ruthless tyrant who has ruled the country and people with iron fist for twenty two years.
Obviously, he is not accountable to any body but to himself; he is a Law unto himself. No one, including his hand picked Ministers, Military Generals or PFDJ offcials dare ask him for transparency in any of his activities, including financial matters.
They are all there to serve his whims. And at a stroke of his finger, he can do whatever he likes with any of them for any reason and they obediently oblige, even to shoot themselves.
Isaias Afewerki has perfected successfully the art of leading two contradictory lives. Any one who wakes up to his double lives, or if he suspects any one with such potential, even of remote, nips him in the bud. He avails himself of his informers to keep up todate record of his subjects actvities, relationships, connections, speeches, gossips etc.
For those who do not him intimately, Our peasant population and their Diaspora counterparts, Isaias Afewerki exudes patriotism and ultruism, which EriTv, his constant escort,pounds day and night to further indocrinate his personality cult.
What these die-hard Isaias Afewerki worshippers have not been able to see is the dichotomy between his apparent patriotism and the gradual deterioration of their country, which ,in the twenty two years of his rule, he has effectively isolated from the world community; have her imposed economic sanctions by UNSC and he has forced her youngsters to flee in droves etc.
I do not think that Isaias Afewerki is a psychopath as some people allege, nor do I think that his tyrannical rule is an end in itself. I believe he has ulterior motive to systematically destroy Eritrean nationalism, culture and langauge as a means for building Abai Tigrai. I am inclining to believe that the 1998 war with woyane was a fake war; that his animosity with the USA is purposely crafted and cultivated to have an enduring No War, No Peace situation in Eritrea as means to his end.
Abiel January 26, 2013
Eritrawi, i do agree with you. The actions of the colenel and his solders should be appraciated as it implies the fact that the tolerance limit of the eritrean peaople is being exhousted.It pass a message that there is a limit for evreything and we need to be together to overthrough the dictator goverment ourselfves peacefully with no war or any external westerners support which may lead to ever lasting war among ourselves which is the last thing eritreans need at the moment. we have already lost thousends of lives, our brothers and sisters are being victimes of consequences of the brutal dictators acctions in Sahara, Israel and Sudan, etc.
Medhanie Yousief January 26, 2013
it’s good news for all of uss but still we don’t have a single evidence fr. 21 january exept wishs and talking nothing change where is all this change what took them so long time ?? to take him off fr. his power
sarah January 26, 2013
Filmon,
I agree with most of what you have said when it comes to greed. I would also like to add ‘comtempt of the eritrean peoepl will pring him down. But I would like to differe when it comes to the generals and colonels not sharing what he is taking. The eritrean people are not blind you know. They may not have access to information but when they find it they can see and understand it. the generals have invested the money they stole from eritrean people in Kenya, Juba, Nigeria, Uganda etc. their button factories, shares in big hotles and casinos etc. Their human trafficing business is lucrative. Ironic as it may sound, they make the country unlivable for eritrean and then they transport the people to the borders for a lrge sum of money,
sarah January 26, 2013
let me finish what I want to say. Do you think these greedy dogs will bring change? whatever happens their families are set to live in luxury in countries other than eritrea. The logical question is ‘how could they think that their families would live in exile for the sins their father are committing? how will their children claim to ‘their children’ in the future.
Halafi Mengedi January 26, 2013
AA,
If you argued that Issayas was a narcissist dictator and the government was totalitarian, many readers would believe you. Nevertheless, claiming that Issayas is a “billionaire” and has amassed his wealth at the expense of his generals, and ministers is unbelievable. First, you have not provided any evidence to support your claim that Issayas has a billion dollars stashed in Swiss or other banks. Second, many independent reports (HRW and others)have suggested that there exists growing division between “terra wetaderat” and ” the generals, ministers”. The later corrupt officials and officers have increased their wealth thanks to the present totalitarian government.”Terra Wetaderat” on the other hand left behind, growing old with out starting a family, going to school, and living a normal life.
The demise of this government means the demise of these officials and officers. It’s therefore for officers and the high level government’s own interest to protect the totalitarian government. It may be why we have not seen any participation from the generals, and Issaya’s ministers in the alleged mutiny.
belay nega January 26, 2013
I AGREE
Hagu January 26, 2013
One thing was CLEAR, the soldiers DID NOT demand issayas to step down! I wonder if there is another true hero will try by killing key figures …..and make Eri free
belay nega January 26, 2013
KILLING HAS NEVER SOLVED ANY PROBLEM,WE WOULD RATHER ACCEPT THE REALITY AND FIND SOLUTION.
MEHRETU HABTE / Yugoslavo Eritrean January 26, 2013
I Quote…
“We are somewhat lucky Isaias Afewerki is one extremely greedy and selfish ruler…..” END OF QUOTE
I have been saying this..IT IS A COUP, NOT A POPULAR REVOLT.So, I agree it has to do with generals & Isaias.This is Janhoy & Derghi again ,people are dreaming. They do not want Isaias gone .He is the collector of the golden goose eggs.