Former Eritrean Finance Minister Dies in Prison

Berhane Abrehe, the former finance minister of Eritrea and a prominent critic of President Isaias Afwerki, has died in prison at the age of 79, according to his family. Abrehe, who served as finance minister for 12 years, was dismissed from his position in 2012 after advocating for greater transparency in the country's budget. His outspoken criticism of the president culminated in the publication of his book, where he labeled Afwerki a "dictator" and called for his resignation. Following the release of his book in 2018, Abrehe was arrested and imprisoned in an undisclosed location, a common practice in Eritrea where political dissent is met with severe repercussions. His family reported that the authorities, known for their lack of transparency regarding the fates of political prisoners, informed them of his death. Human rights organizations and the United Nations have long condemned the Eritrean government for its human rights abuses, including torture and the arbitrary detention of thousands. Abrehe's family has faced their own struggles, with one of his sons, who now resides in the United States, sharing the harrowing experience of being separated from his parents for years. He expressed disbelief at the government's ability to detain individuals without accountability, highlighting the plight of political prisoners in Eritrea who are often cut off from the outside world. Born in 1945, Abrehe earned a master's degree in economics from a U.S. university and played a significant role in Eritrea's fight for independence from Ethiopia. His death marks a significant moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding human rights and political repression in Eritrea.