Eritrea Operates in Darkness: No Transparency, Accountability or Oversight

Authoritarianism Reigns Supreme

In a shocking display of authoritarianism, the government of Eritrea has been operating without any semblance of transparency, accountability, or oversight. The country’s budget and asset disclosure are not publicly available, leaving citizens in the dark about how their hard-earned money is being spent.

PFDJ Stranglehold on Economy

The PFDJ, Eritrea’s ruling party, has a stranglehold on the economy, with its Hdiri Trust Fund controlling all major companies in the country. The financial head of the party is responsible for auditing the fund, but there is no independent oversight or accountability mechanism in place to ensure transparency and good governance.

Lack of International Cooperation

Eritrea’s attitude towards international cooperation has been lukewarm at best, with the government preferring a strategy of self-reliance over engagement with the global community. This has led to a lack of progress on key issues such as corruption, organized crime, and human rights.

Criminal Justice System in Shambles

Impunity and Unpunished Crimes

The country’s criminal justice system is plagued by impunity, with crimes against humanity committed over the past 25 years going unpunished. The judiciary is poorly organized and dependent on the government, with instances of interference by the executive branch common.

Harsh Prison Conditions

Prison conditions are harsh and overcrowded, with prisoners including children and former government officials being held incommunicado for indefinite periods without charge or trial.

Economic Environment Vulnerable to Corruption

Eritrea’s economy is vulnerable to money laundering and related activities due to its informal, cash-based nature and limited regulatory structures. The country’s proximity to regions where terrorist and criminal organizations operate makes it an attractive location for corrupt activities.

Anti-Money Laundering Laws and Financial Intelligence Unit

Despite enacting anti-money laundering laws and establishing a financial intelligence unit, Eritrea has not submitted any reports on its efforts to combat money laundering and financing of terrorism. The government’s irrational economic policy, which fixes the nakfa to the US dollar at a rate of 15 to 1, has led to a steady expansion of the currency black market.

Lack of Support for Victims and Witnesses

The government’s lack of support for victims and witnesses of organized crime is an ongoing problem. There are no procedures in place to identify and protect trafficking victims, and human rights abuses against Eritrean refugees in Ethiopia have been reported.

Civil Rights and Freedom of Expression Absent

Civil rights and freedom of expression and assembly are absent, with independent media having been shut down since 2001. Journalists are among the most heavily imprisoned groups in the world, and religious persecution continues unabated.

No End in Sight

Until the government takes concrete steps to address these issues, the country will continue to operate in darkness, leaving its citizens with no hope for a better future. The lack of transparency, accountability, and oversight has created a culture of impunity, corruption, and human rights abuses, which will persist unless drastic changes are made.