Former U.S. Envoy Nagy Calls Eritrea’s Situation “A Tragedy”

Addis Ababa, September 29, 2026 (ENA) —Former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Tibor Nagy sharply criticized Eritrea’s leadership and the conditions facing its population, describing the country as an unstable neighbor in the region.

In his recent interview with Pulse of Africa, Nagy said Eritrea has had conflicts with all of its neighbors, including Yemen across the Red Sea.

He described President Isaias Afwerki as a dictator, saying, “I have called him a dictator because I believe he is a dictator.”

According to Nagy, Eritrea has no constitution, has never held elections, and maintains what he described as “national service for eternity.”

He also pointed to the large proportion of the population that has fled the country and the burden placed on those who remain.

Nagy said Eritreans face an “unbearable burden” and criticized the country’s quality of life, citing the lack of internet access and other forms of isolation.

He recalled visiting Eritrea and finding that people could not use credit cards and that the country was significantly behind in areas he considered essential to modern life.

Referring to Isaias Afwerki, he said, “Isaias is now holding Eritrea back instead of taking it forward.”

Nagy also criticized what he described as imprisonment without trial or charges and extensive human-rights abuses, calling the situation “a tragedy” and “an absolute tragedy.”