Eritrea’s Foresight and the Global Power Game: Why President Isaias Afwerki’s Truth Must Be Heard

In an era dominated by global disinformation, President Isaias Afwerki of Eritrea has emerged as one of the few African leaders speaking unapologetically about the true nature of international conflict. His recent statement that the war in Ukraine is not between Ukraine and Russia, but between NATO and Russia, reveals not only the deeper geopolitical tensions but also how the United States continues to benefit at the expense of the Global South.

President Afwerki's assertion is not merely about Ukraine—it's a bold critique of a world order that has long marginalized Africa. As he rightly points out, the status quo has only benefited the United States, while the rest of the world has suffered from the fallout of wars, inflation, destabilization, and proxy conflicts orchestrated to preserve Western dominance.

Eritrea’s Sanctions: A Case of Unjustified Isolation

Eritrea, a nation that has never bowed to neocolonial agendas, has repeatedly faced sanctions based on vague, unsubstantiated claims. The truth is clear: Eritrea is punished not for what it has done, but for what it represents—an Africa that cannot be controlled. The unjust sanctions and constant scrutiny from Western powers are a direct result of Eritrea's refusal to become a satellite state in the new imperial world order.

Proxy Wars and Ethiopia’s Historic Role

The weaponization of Ethiopia against Eritrea is not new. Since the 1880s, every major Ethiopian leader—from Menelik II to Abiy Ahmed—has played some role in advancing Western interests in the region. Whether it was accepting arms and backing from colonial powers or implementing neoliberal policies at the expense of the region’s stability, Ethiopia has often been the conduit for foreign domination in the Horn of Africa.

• Menelik II accepted weapons from Italy to expand his power while allowing foreign presence in the region.

• Haile Selassie, the most romanticized Ethiopian leader, was chosen by the West to oppose the Casablanca Group—a coalition of revolutionary African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah, Patrice Lumumba, and Sekou Touré who sought a united Africa free from Western influence.

• Every member of the Casablanca Group was either assassinated or overthrown—except Haile Selassie, who stood as the last man representing an Addis Ababa-centered, Western-aligned vision of Africa.

• Meles Zenawi, through U.S. backing, carried out internal repression and kept Eritrea under constant threat using international alliances like IGAD and the African Union as cover.

• Abiy Ahmed, although seen initially as a reformer, has overseen deadly campaigns in Tigray, with Eritrea continuously scapegoated despite evidence pointing toward internal Ethiopian conflicts fueled by external players.

  
  

The Bigger Picture: Ukraine, Gaza, and the Global South

President Afwerki’s clarity on Ukraine mirrors his understanding of a broader imperial pattern—Palestine, Libya, Syria, Afghanistan, Congo, and now Ukraine—all turned into battlegrounds not for liberation, but for resource control and global influence.

The United States and its allies have maintained global dominance through divide-and-rule strategies, puppet regimes, and information warfare. The Horn of Africa—particularly Eritrea—has faced this firsthand, resisting time and time again while being portrayed as the villain in international narratives.

Conclusion: A Call for Pan-African Vigilance

Eritrea’s ongoing resistance is not just national—it is continental. The sacrifices of Eritreans, the clarity of President Afwerki, and the unjust treatment by international bodies should serve as a wake-up call for all Africans. The ghosts of the Casablanca Group still haunt us, and unless Africa reclaims its unity and independence, the cycle will continue.

This is not just about Eritrea—it’s about the future of an entire continent.