Isaias Afewerki

Isaias Afewerki is the President of Eritrea, having held power since the country gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993. He is known for his authoritarian rule, which has led to significant restrictions on political freedoms and civil liberties in Eritrea. Under his leadership, the country has been marked by a lack of free press and widespread human rights abuses, prompting criticism from international organizations such as Amnesty International. Afewerki's government enforces mandatory military service and has been accused of detaining political dissidents indefinitely. His regime has consistently ranked among the worst in the world for freedom and human rights, contributing to a mass exodus of Eritreans fleeing persecution and seeking asylum elsewhere.