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By ANFET Transitional Editorial Desk-October 25, 2025
Introduction: A Debate Worth Having
The recent debates within Eritrean opposition circles have revealed both the depth of our grievances and the urgency of our shared struggle. At times, the exchanges have grown heated, but beneath the passion lies a common truth: Eritrea cannot remain hostage to dictatorship, nor can its diverse peoples be denied their rights. The question before us is not whether we seek freedom, but how we achieve it — and at what cost.
Dankalia, the historic homeland of the Afar people, has become a focal point in this debate. It is here that the issues of sovereignty, autonomy, and external interference converge. The struggle for democratic unity in Eritrea cannot be separated from the struggle for Afar dignity and self-rule.
The Principle of Sovereignty and the Demand for Autonomy
Eritrean sovereignty is not a bargaining chip, nor is it a tool to suppress minority rights. Sovereignty and autonomy are not opposite; they are complementary. A democratic Eritrea must guarantee both: the independence of the state and the self-governance of its constituent peoples.
For the Afar of Dankalia, autonomy is not a luxury but a necessity. It means constitutional protection, cultural and linguistic rights, resource governance, and local self-administration. These demands are consistent with democratic principles and with Eritrea’s long-denied promise of equality.
The RSADO Factor and the Rising Stakes
The recent announcement by the Red Sea Afar Democratic Organization (RSADO) of graduating new fighters after months of training has raised both hope and concern. On one hand, it demonstrates the determination of Afar communities to resist repression. On the other, it risks drawing Eritrea further into a cycle of militarization and external manipulation.
RSADO’s call for unity among Eritrean opposition groups is timely. Yet unity cannot be built on military announcements alone. It must rest on documented agreements, transparent commitments, and a shared vision of democratic renewal.
The External Agenda: Abiy Ahmed’s Diversion
Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s recent maneuvers — from rhetoric about Red Sea access to visits along sensitive border towns — reveal a dangerous agenda. His government’s interest in Eritrean ports is not motivated by solidarity with Afar or other oppressed Eritrean communities. It is driven by self-interest and regional ambition.
History offers sobering lessons. From Crimea to eastern Ukraine, external invasions justified as “solutions” have only deepened occupation and instability. If Ethiopian forces enter Eritrean territory under the pretext of supporting Afar autonomy, they will not stop at Dankalia. They will occupy every inch of land and coastline they can. Autonomy gained through invasion would be fragile, conditional, and ultimately unsustainable.
The Role of the Diaspora
Eritreans in the diaspora have a responsibility to act with clarity and discipline. Our role is not to inflame divisions or invite external domination, but to document, advocate, and build coalitions that strengthen the democratic cause.
We must:
Mobilize petitions and declarations that affirm both sovereignty and autonomy.
Translate debates into structured, publishable material that records our history.
Engage international audiences with a unified message: Eritrea’s people demand democracy, not war.
Unity as the Path Forward
The debates of recent days have shown that we may differ on tactics, but we cannot afford to fracture on fundamentals. Autonomy and sovereignty can — and must — coexist in a democratic Eritrea.
What unity requires now is clear:
Affirm the shared end state: A democratic Eritrea with constitutional guarantees for all peoples, including Afar autonomy in Dankalia.
Agree on red lines: No collaboration with invading powers; no trade-offs on sovereignty; no denial of Afar rights.
Adopt civil protocols: Debate ideas, not people; respond with evidence, not accusations.
Build the legal path: Draft autonomy statutes, resource governance frameworks, and constitutional protections.
Mobilize responsibly: Focus on rights, not escalation; strategy, not strife.
Conclusion: Recording History Together
The struggle for Dankalia is inseparable from the struggle for Eritrea. To defend sovereignty without autonomy is to repeat the mistakes of the past. To demand autonomy without sovereignty is to invite new forms of domination. Only by holding both together can we build a democratic nation worthy of its martyrs’ sacrifices.
As we debate, document, and mobilize, let us remember we are not only exchanging arguments. We are recording history. The world will judge us not by our divisions, but by our ability to unite around justice, dignity, and freedom.
