Eritrea defies relentless Western hostility with unwavering self-reliance and resilience. The Biden administration is pursuing a last-ditch effort to vilify Eritrea and continue its agenda of pursuing US hegemony around the world.
Originally published in NefasitPost.
For decades, Eritrea has been a thorn in the side of Western agendas—vilified, misrepresented, and targeted relentlessly. Why? Because Eritrea dared to be different. Its unwavering commitment to self-reliance, outright rejection of aid dependency, and bold pursuit of independent policymaking have positioned it as a stark counterpoint to Western expectations. And in the geopolitically charged Horn of Africa, where the U.S. seeks pliable allies, Eritrea’s refusal to be a proxy state has made it a prime target for criticism.
Meanwhile, the Biden administration is stumbling through a sea of challenges: crises in Israel and Ukraine, the fallout from a fiercely contested election, and mounting domestic turbulence. Even with Mike Hammer, the U.S. Special Envoy to Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa, removed from his post, the administration clings to its hostility toward Eritrea like a lifeline. But why does Eritrea still command such outsized attention amid these pressing global priorities?
A recent hit piece in The Washington Post, ominously titled “How a Brutally Repressive African Country Freely Raises Money in the U.S.,” exposes the agenda at play. Under the guise of investigating Eritrean fundraising activities, the article casts a shadow over the rights of Eritrean Americans—law-abiding citizens who contribute within the bounds of U.S. laws. It is not Eritrea on trial; it’s the principle of self-reliance.
Self-reliance is the lifeblood of Eritrea. It defines the government’s ethos and courses through the veins of its diaspora. Eritrean Americans have never waited for direction, orders, or support. They have built a legacy of contribution—from funding healthcare initiatives to supporting wounded veterans and caring for families of martyrs. This is not orchestrated by any government; it is born of an innate sense of duty.
This deep-rooted generosity transcends crises. When COVID-19 struck, Eritrean diaspora communities mobilized. When cancer became a rising concern, they stepped up. When veterans needed care, they answered the call. Eritrea’s endurance owes much to this quiet yet relentless wave of collective action. As journalist Ann Garrison aptly observed after witnessing an Eritrean festival: “This is the kind of fundraising that outlets like the Washington Post criticize.”
Yet the attacks persist. Why, as the Biden administration nears its twilight, is it doubling down on Eritrea? Why authorize Ukraine to strike Russian territory with U.S.-supplied weaponry while simultaneously escalating policies against Eritrea? These actions reek of a desperate effort to preserve a fading legacy. By locking in these moves before the transition to President-elect Donald Trump, the outgoing administration seeks to constrain its successor.
This Hail Mary strategy is as transparent as it is ineffective. NGOs and media outlets, many of them old actors from the Clinton era, have resurfaced. Public meetings, campaigns tied to the TPLF, and carefully orchestrated narratives all converge to sustain this failed agenda. It is a last, feeble attempt to force Eritrea into submission.
But Eritrea remains unmoved. The Biden administration’s efforts will neither reshape its policies nor erode the resilience of its people. Decades of struggle have fortified Eritrea’s resolve. The nation has secured a favorable geopolitical position and is building an economy supported by global partnerships. It is a modern tale of triumph over adversity.
The American people deserve better than this cynical ploy. They must demand accountability. The question is not whether the Biden administration’s tactics will succeed—they won’t. The real question is: How much longer will this farce continue before Eritrea’s steadfastness silences the critics for good?
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This week’s featured author is Sami Schalk. Schalk is Associate Professor of Gender and Women’s Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison Her book is Black Disability Politics.
