Incidents of violence during events in Sweden, Canada, and the US, which were initially presented as cultural gatherings, have been denounced by activists who claim that these events are actually infused with militaristic elements and hateful rhetoric.
Following the intrusion of opponents of the Eritrean government into a festival in Stockholm, which was accused of promoting the regime of the East African nation earlier this month, resulting in the torching of vehicles and stone-throwing, the Swedish government attempted to distance itself from the incident. Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer remarked that it was "unreasonable for Sweden to become entangled in other nations' internal conflicts."
However, in the well-lit cafeteria of a community center in Kista, located a few miles away from the festival grounds in Järvafältet, a wooded region north of the Swedish capital, Abdulkader Habib held a different perspective. He disagreed that opposition to Eritrea's dictator, Isaias Afwerki, was solely an issue for Eritreans: "This is a significant international issue," he asserted.
Eritrean festivals are organized in various cities worldwide and are presented as cultural gatherings. However, a significant portion of the Eritrean diaspora perceives these events as demonstrations of the regime's authority, aimed at intimidating those who have escaped the dictatorship.
Sweden is not the only country witnessing violence. Opposition to these events has resulted in disorder in Canada, the US, and Germany in recent weeks.
Habib, a 51-year-old volunteer and school founder, remarked, "The Swedish government should take ethical responsibility." He questioned whether the government would allow supporters of Putin to host a festival endorsing Russia's war in Ukraine.
He further stated that the festivals exclusively consist of individuals who endorse the government, clarifying, "It's not a typical celebration where everyone is invited."
Activists assert that these festivals involve hate speech targeting those who fled the country and showcase military exhibitions involving children dressed in uniforms, encouraged to reenact violent scenes.
"These initiatives aim to endorse the ruthless dictatorship, romanticize warfare, and sanitize the image of the dictator," explained activist Semhar Ghebreslassie.
Semhar Ghebreslassie, a member of the global Eritrean activist group Yiakl based in Sweden, revealed that activists in Sweden had written letters to the authorities, urging them not to permit the festival, but their pleas had been disregarded.
"These events are designed to promote the brutal dictatorship, glorify warfare, and sanitize the image of the dictator himself," she stated. "They aim to present Eritrea as a utopian paradise, with capable leadership, contrasting it with an evil West. This manipulation is intended to indoctrinate and maintain control over people, especially those born and raised in the diaspora."
Although the promise of a multiparty democracy was made when Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a devastating war, this promise was never fulfilled. The country has remained under the rule of Afwerki as a one-party state since he led the fight for independence. During a summit in St. Petersburg, the dictator recently met with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, who pledged to provide Afwerki with free grain supplies.
Human Rights Watch labels Eritrea as a "one-man dictatorship" that enforces prolonged military conscription, compulsory labor, arbitrary arrests, and reportedly targets Eritreans living abroad.
More than 500,000 Eritreans are officially registered as refugees with the UN, yet tens of thousands continue to leave annually, often to flee conscription, taking the perilous Mediterranean route.
Eritrean journalist Marymagdalene Asefaw, based in London, expressed that the festivals, with their incendiary music, military motifs, and participation of government officials, felt like a direct threat to Eritreans who had sought refuge abroad. She noted, "People are truly exhausted by this war propaganda. All the young individuals who endured the Sahara crossing and hardships believed they had finally found safety, but that safety is no longer guaranteed. Every Eritrean in a European nation has escaped difficulties and trauma, and now these festivals are exacerbating those experiences."
Critics contend that the regime employs the festivals as fundraising events to support repression within Eritrea. Additionally, it has attempted to raise funds through a 2% "diaspora tax," requiring Eritreans abroad to pay this levy to embassies for consular services. However, British Members of Parliament called for an end to this tax last year.
The Stockholm festival has been held since the 1990s, but Habib noted its origins trace back to a 1974 event in Bologna, Italy. While it used to enjoy the support of most Eritreans before independence, sentiments changed due to its affiliations with the government. Older Eritreans often lean towards these festivals to maintain ties with their homeland, while younger individuals who grew up in democratic environments are more inclined to voice their dissent.
Sonia Sherefay, an author and integration consultant in Sweden, used to attend the festival in its early days but has refrained from doing so in recent years. She remarked that the violent disruptions made her feel "ashamed to be Eritrean."
The Eritrean government, which employs exit visas to restrict people from leaving the country, has frequently accused the West and the UN of conspiring to "depopulate" and hinder its progress. This assertion was reiterated by Information Minister Yemane Gebremeskel, who referred to those disrupting the festivals as "asylum scum."
While supporters of the regime have accused opponents of resorting to violence, the demonstrators in Sweden asserted that they were incited due to provocation while attempting to protest peacefully.
"I will never forget what transpired that day," Ghebreslassie recounted. "Being part of unfolding events felt surreal. It was utter chaos." She recounted how she and fellow protesters were prevented from reaching a designated gathering point by government supporters who hurled stones at them.
The surge in protests has followed the establishment last year of Brigade Nhamedu by young Eritreans residing abroad. This group actively counters government propaganda. Henok Tekle, an organizer based in the US for Brigade Nhamedu, shared that the group's influence is expanding among the Eritrean diaspora, evolving into a "mass movement" worldwide.
He mentioned that momentum was gaining traction as an increasing number of young members of the diaspora raised their voices against the regime, particularly after witnessing their relatives being compelled into fighting when Eritrea became involved in the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia.
Tekle explained that while government supporters used disruptions during festivals to paint the movement as violent, their approach focused on peaceful protests and legal measures. Their upcoming endeavor involves taking legal action against Eritrean embassies, which they perceive as instruments of the regime against the diaspora, aiming to have them expelled from Europe and the US.
"It's a widespread movement from all corners. People of various ages and backgrounds are joining this movement now, and we are determined to make our voices heard," stated Tekle.
"The country needs change. That's why we're advocating, and currently, momentum is in our favor. We are committed to continuing this struggle, sustaining peaceful demonstrations, and pursuing every available legal avenue."
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