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Eritrea: Rising Crime, Militarization and Political Speculation |
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By Gedab News -
Sep 26, 2002
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Gedab News has learned of a series of crimes that belie easy dismissal as isolated incidents because they are perpetrated by uniformed members of Eritrea's security and defense forces.
* Last week, three uniformed Eritreans attacked and mugged a foreigner named Paulo Guerra at his residence in the Sembel Residential Complex (Korean housing) in Asmara. After being admitted into his apartment, the uniformed perpetrators, who were armed with a pistol, a machine gun and a hand grenade, demanded of Mr. Paulo Guerra and his Eritrean wife, US dollars. When that was not forthcoming, they emptied the apartment of his valuables, took Nakfa currencies and left the couple shocked and frightened.
* Also last week, the 39th Brigade, which is stationed in the Assab Front, was sent to Asmara for two weeks of "R & R." Due to Asmara's severe housing shortage, the logistics of their stay was not worked out. The members of the defense force have reportedly been intimidating Eritreans and forcefully occupying houses and offices. "Breakage and thievery is rampant," reports a witness.
* Incidents of corruption and theft are now commonplace, barely eliciting a shrug, with "no fewer than a dozen" investigations currently underway. Directors of ministries and General Managers of firms are being asked to account for inventory and finances who, in turn, are finding subordinates to scapegoat. The government is investigating "individuals" who were hoarding Ethiopian Birr in early 1998, shortly before war with Ethiopia broke out. Unconfirmed news reaching Gedab News states that a gentleman whose initials are T.B. has already been "implicated" and arrested last Saturday. The Nackfa has dropped to over 23 to a Dollar.
* Asmara has been militarized with "WePo" (Military Police) stationed at practically every corner after 11:00 PM and General "Wuchu" bragging that Eritrea is under his control.
Meanwhile, the ruling party is once again talking about convening a Party Congress, something it hasn't had in eight years. The latest speculation is that the Chairman of the party will dismiss and retire many of the "old timers" and pump in "new blood" into the party. In any event, reports our source, the party has a great deal of repair work to do as the Chairman of the party and the President of Eritrea is seen by "all nations" as someone whose behavior ("sickness is mentioned everywhere and by everybody") makes co-operation all but impossible. |
