Problematizing ‘Liberation’ and Democratisation in post-independence Eritrea

I argue throughout the Chapter that the reason Eritrea is in a state of abysmal decay is not because there have been no elections since its birth as an independent country over a quarter of a century ago. The degree of democratic deficit in the region, including in those countries where there have been elections (save Kenya) is equally bleak. What distinguishes the sorry state post-independence Eritrea is in is that it is in the pitiless grip of an autocratic and control freak personal ruler inimical to private enterprise, any form of freedom of speech and expression, freedom of movement, choice of means of livelihood and the sanctity of rule of law. These are the edifices of the foundation on which democratisation rests. It is argued throughout the Chapter that as long as impunity and arbitrariness remain the rule of the game, there will be no democratisation. The objectives of the chapter are to discuss the meanings of democratization and democracy; to examine the state of democratization in Eritrea; to identify the major constraints on democracy; and towards the end, to suggest alternative approaches that may contribute to overcoming the constraints on the process of democratization in the country. A brief attempt is made to discuss the extent to which the proposed approaches are implementable.