Samson, the “civilian general,” a contractor with close ties to General Gerezgheir “Wuchu” Andemariam, and the general’s driver (no name given) were arrested in Adi Quala while attempting to leave the country. They were airlifted by a military helicopter and are now in the custody of Eritrean authorities.

We spoke to an ordinary Eritrean [name withheld]. He is married and has two children. He lives in government subsidized housing and has an income of 2,000 nakfas. Half of the income is from his job and the other half is from the support he gets from his family in the Diaspora (Canada, US.)

The week that the PFDJ was celebrating another milestone—graduation of the 20th round at Sawa—the outcome of its policy of militarization was in bigger display throughout Eritrea and particularly Asmara. There were roundups to re-train those who had graduated from the 1st to the 19th rounds; there were attempts to retool a dying economy; and escapism to cheer up a disheartened people. The government is in a state of free-fall and everything it is doing is simply accelerating the fall.