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Interview with President Isaias Afwerki (Part 1 – 6)

Posted on , Updated on by Elias Kifle

The following are Part 1 to 6 of the Ethiopian Review and eppfOnline.org interview with Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki. The translation of the interview to Amharic will be posted as soon as it is ready.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

317 thoughts on “Interview with President Isaias Afwerki (Part 1 – 6)”

  1. I used to have different impression of Isaias. In fact I thought he was Amhara hater and when i hear him saying words which are deep in my heart, I was amazed to say the least!And, he has such level of confidence comperable to those great ethiopian leaders of the past like Tewodros and Menelik… the guy is a manly man and sorry guys to say this he has heck of a balls!

  2. Elias and Seleshi, u have done really the best spring box to topple the racist woyanne clique

    I have believed PIA for his genuine intent to work ethiopians

    Cheers

  3. great idea!! I didn’t expect such grat ideas from Presidant Isayas. Hope, we will learn more from from the second part.

    thanks Elias and Sileshy. Keep working!

  4. Dear Elias

    Please pass my thanks to Presidnt Issayas for his explanation. We know now he is a genuine and selfless man whom we should learn a lot about multi nationalism.

  5. I was suspicious at the beginning before listening this interview. Well, having heard that, I think that you did a great job. You asked the most important questions directly.

    Bravo Elias

  6. Hello. I’m an Eritrean, 23 years old and i live in Amsterdam, Holland.

    I hope Isayas is speaking the truth because unity and partnership is the only way that Ethiopia&Eritrea will prosper and reach their full potential.

    Because i live in Europe i dont meet so many habeshas on a daily basis but everytime i meet a Ethiopian on the bus, in n the subway or at work i am very happy because we are all brothers and sisters. I am sure that most Ethiopians and Eritreans in the diaspora and in our countries will agree with me on this. So why do our contries act like a divourced couple that cant stand eachother? And we, the people, are like the child that is suffering from their fighting.

    We should stop thinking about the past and start looking forward. If you look at Europe and on white countries. They have done the worst of things on eatch-other, they have even fought World Wars against eatch-other! But they forgot about that along time ago and instead they focus on the future. So why should we keep holding on to things that have happened in the past? I hope from now on that Eritreans and Ethiopians become like brothers and sister. We should do business and strive for the sucess and prosperity for our people, so that our future generations hopefully will have a good and happy life.

    Thank you.

  7. Open, Plain and Truth. No political rhetoric! These interview with Eritrean President Asayas Afwerki is opening new window of hope in me. Thank you Elias. You are not alone.

  8. This is historic! History will judge Isayas and is government if he breaks his own words in the future! His attitude and actions will define the relationship of future generations of the two sister countries – Ethiopia and Eritrea!

  10. Its good to see ato esayas trying to circumnavigate the question asked by his interviewers. All he was doing is systematically attack woyane to his own advantage. But when it comes to the vital question of Assab port, he said that “apart from the question of sovereignty” which he would not like to raise “He would like to give us service on Assab port” like Djibouti does. “How?” is our Question. What kind of right do we exercise using this port? The historical realities of Assab and Djibouti are very different. Ethiopia should get an entirely free access to the Red Sea via Assab without any preconditions if Eritreans would like to enjoy the big economic advantage they will gain from open border on Ethiopians side.

  11. After watching this interview, it is very apparent why president Isaias Afewerki is considered a major threat to the weyanes and their western paymasters. Thanks Ethiopian Review and EPPF for opening my eyes.

  14. It’s crystal clear that the whole Africa is held hostage by the West through their trusted modern day chiefs. This interview is an eye opener. Wonderful job, Elias and Seleshi. The bible says “You have eyes but you can’t see, you have ears but you can’t hear.” African chiefs facilitated the slave trading of its fellow African for the white man. These modern day chiefs, weyanew Meles & his likes, are doing the bidding for the West in a modern day slavery to ransack & strip African resources at the expense of its people & their environment. All the West had to do is prop up & arm its puppet in the name of Aid to keep the local people in check & exploited. It reminds me of John Hillary, Director for ‘WAR ON WANT’ who claimed that EU has in its constitution (which I haven’t read it myself to verify that & I urge everyone to Google it) that the West’s multilateral firms have to control the world resources. That is scary. Hitler incarnated. The poor Africans are too busy fending for their day to day living that they won’t be able to see these evils that are hovering over our continent. No wonder the west targets Eritrean president, isayas afework. Africa has to rally around this visionary leader. The bible says, James 4:4 “If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God.” the west who worship money usually address themselves as ‘the world’ resisting evil should be our duty. Change is imminent.

  16. Thanks Elias, I think Issaias Afwerki is an open minded person. He thinks the future generation of Ethiopia and Eritrea people. The woyane meles is narrow ethnic-minded person think only for his ‘golden’ people. I would advise all Ethiopian and Eritrean people to join hands to work for their nation. The woyane only stands to destroy Eritreans , Ethiopians and Somalis so we have to fight this woyane racist regime to end.

  18. Mr. Afeworki speaks well. I like all what he has to say. Do you think he meant it? He never wanted a weak Ethiopia? I doubt it. If he meant it. It is very appreciable.

  19. Why is President Isayas raising the question of “sovereignty”now? Woyannes and Eritreans were using the same currency that was Birr and sovereignty was not an issue that time despite Ethiopia and Eritrea are two independent counties since 1991. Elias, you were tough on him and that was great but he didn’t answer your question directly, rather he was referring you to other options. Never trust politicians!

  21. We are pleased to know the truth. We Ethiopian have been misinformed about Eritrea and its leadership.I can feel from his answers the President is bold and natural who speaks what he believes.

  23. I am lost with words. Isaias Afeworki sounds more like Ethiopian than Meles Zenawi. I now truly see the beginning of the end of TPLF as the political masters of our beloved country.

  27. Interesting! I have never imagined Isayas Afewerki would be willing to face unfiltered questions from the people. Equaly interesting is the courage of Elias and Sileshi to ask very sharp cutting questions. This is ground breaking! Imagine the kinds of shame interviews Meles woyane did. He would not dare face such questions and he would not allow it. I think the narrow minded woyanes would hate this interview to happen. Great job Elias and Sileshi. Kudos to both of you!

  28. Very interesting! Now the truth is coming out. President Isaias Afewerki told us his side of the story and it seems sincere. Now people can judge who is who. Meles and his friends has been lying for years. Enough is enough!!!!!

  29. I am really fascinated by the depth and extent of the interview coverage. It is a kind of BBC’s Hard Talk. I know Isaias as a hot tempered guy will get angry if he was asked a question what he does not want to hear, even for local journalist, but here, the journalist asked politely but tough questions and Isaias answered brilliantly. I hope this is the beginning of the tight relationship not only between ethiopia and eritrea but the people of the horn of Africa, but it is the beginning of the end for the Woyane. The most admirable character of Isaias even in his country is that he does not want to hear about regionalism, ethnicity, religion. He is not only headache for the Woyane, but also for the interest of the West which even they do not care about the majority and democracy as far as the chiefs serve their interest. I think no matter Issias tried hard to support the opposition, it is up to the leaders of the opposition and ethiopian people to topple over the woyane, and it is worth than being treated like a second class in your country, by your own leaders. This is shown in the term of education, military hierarchy, development and power.

    Peace for the Horn of Africa

  30. Good job Elias and Sleshi!! The president has made it clear that the question of using port Assab by the Ethiopians will be as it was during the pre 98 war. The woyane has messed that idea then and i can’t wait to see the woyane dethroned from power!!

  31. Ethiopian people, this is your moment. Use PIA and Eritrea to discuss and open great talks, and comment on the issues. It is nice to know all sides of story. We have a good man on the position. Long live our president, and long live united Ethiopia. Well done you Elias and your friend Sileshi.

  32. I’ve always told Ethiopian friends to see beyond what the West dominated media portrays His Excellency President Isaias Afewerki to be, awful things you can’t even imagine. One thing is for sure, that is, he is an ardent Eritrean. So are many faceless compatriots that work behind the scene to make Eritrea and the neighbourhood safe for generations to come. These people are very pragmatic and realist bunch that fully understand the linkage of Eritrean success to that of Ethiopian success.

    Our neigbourhood will be safe and hospitable when we have governments that are for the people by the people, devoid of foreign interference. Nationalist and inclusive governments that are representative of all.

  33. I absolutely believe what PIA is said in this interview. Do you know why, because if he was saying it for the sake of politics he would have sold his country and kiss every white man’s behind like Meles long time ago.

  34. This interview has changed many people’s view. For those of us who are blessed with age, we know the background of EPLF’s agenda. Ever from the beginning it was UNITED ETHIOPIA while Woyane’s agenda was for A GREATER TIGRAY.

  35. thanks elias and seleshi, u open alot of closed mineded ppl, they have the truth now, i hope they will not write stupid thing about pia. thanks again.

  37. i like this leader he sound nice and real man he is not fake i think woyane makes us to missunderstand this man. its good start to build up good relation between this two people. thank you ethiopian review. good job.

  38. Great job Elias and Sileshi

    I think President Isayas is a leader who is selfless, visionary and dedicated unlike many parrott leaders who take their orders from interst groups in the west. your interview represented the real questions discussed in everyday life and the answeres were honest charasmatic and inspiring. we should have more journalists like you. and more importantly leaders Like President Isayas Afeworki.

    thxs

  39. Brother Elias, Good job!!! I don’t see this as a propaganda ploy by Isaias or Elias offering himself as a sounding board. I see it something that will lead to some kind of a new beginning for both peoples. I have heard about the personality of Mr. Isaias that goes back to the early seventies from people who had the chance to hear how he handles discussions with other groups or individuals. He has these excellent qualities of a good listener. He has his plan well laid out way ahead of time for Eritrea and for the region. I don’t mind if he did not answer some of the questions in Amharic just because the reality now is that Amharic is the national language of Ethiopia not of Eritrea. I am really surprised he even answered the questions in English. And the English terms and phrases he used are easily understandable by those whose knowledge of the English language is very basic. If he was really strict to his diplomatic protocol, he could have answered the questions in Tigrigna. While I understand his logic in supporting nationalist organization in Ethiopia such as ONLF and OLF, that he considers these national organizations as transitional or temporary, but the programs and objectives of these organizations tell otherwise. These organizations have proclaimed their struggle to be anti-colonialist fighting the already moribund Amharas. That is why individuals like me consider such support is tantamount to playing precariously with a dangerous explosive device that will come back to haunt even the Eritrean society and people. These two organizations do not operate the same was as those fighters in ELF and EPLF were treating civilians. I remember in the 1960’s when one of my friends encounters Eritrean freedom fighters on his way to Asmara. His bus was stopped and burned down but they did not do any harm to anyone on the bus. He was an Amhara. Another friend in Barentu area was interrupted during class when Eritrean fighters swarmed the area and the school he was teaching. They did their quick propaganda work and left. And they did not touch a single hair on him. He was an Amhara from Shewa. But these two organizations supported by Eritrea now have killed innocent civilians just because they are Amharas, Tigrayans and even Oromos who were at the ‘wrong place’ and with ‘wrong’ crowd. Why do such nationalist organizations fight for cessation? The Amhara domination is moribund now. They don’t want to live with people like Elias, Sileshi or Teddy Afro? Why not? I think Mr. Isaias has good intentions but he should look into the programs and propaganda perpetuated by such narrow nationalist organizations to make sure after ‘Ted Bundy’ is gone, a more united Ethiopia prevails with all people being equal. Other than that, all three of them should be commended for bringing us such a ground breaking discussion. Thank you Mr. President!!!! Thank you Brothers Elias and Sileshi.

  40. I would like to thank ER for the interview. I thought what we heard during the Derg, and then during the Terrorist Woyane regime was true. I now got some clue as to how to work with Eritreans. We need to join hands with them and get rid of Tigre[TPLF] terrorists. The killings and torture of Oromos, particularly Shewa Oromos in the hand of Tigre criminals must end now. I will do all that is within my power to end it. Let us join hands and resources to end this racist regime and live in a country built on equality.

  41. Thanks Elias and Sileshi!!!

    For me it is late to know Presidant Isayas but not too late. I like his idea. After this intereview even if I am an Ethiopian, I prefer to go to Eritrea than Ethiopia.

    Keep working

  42. Wendime Elias,yeweyane maswegejaw mengedina akahedun egzi abher kedmo geltsolihal malet echilalehu.Berta were, mawratina sira mesrat yeteleyaye new.Tiretih, tigilih
    akahedih asdestognal.ahunm berta elihalehu.

  43. It is great to hear from the great president of Eritrea that makes it clear not only to see united and strong Ethiopia, but he will do in his power to accomplish Ethiopians their objective. Therefore, first and foremost it is up to all Ethiopians to create united and strong Ethiopia by removing the cancer of Ethiopia including the horn of Africa, the Weyane.

  44. “One hour of talking with President Isayas Afwerki is equivalent to one year’s university education” Said Meles Zienawi in one of his rare truth moment. Listen and learn to all of you who are blinded with western propaganda.

  45. Dear Elias,

    What you did is historic and it will be remembered. I have to compliment president Isaias also for being open and clear. keep guys communicating more that is the way how to come together and solve problems.

  46. I hope Ethiopia will be free from this hyena government, woyanne, and hope to see all Ethiopians living equally, in peace and love with their neighbor and within Ethiopia itself.

  47. Good job Elias and Sileshi,

    I really admire that the idea of PIA to see united and prosperous Ethiopia and the whole effort he makes to see strong Ethiopia.

    But I strongly doubt if that motivation can come from someone who desperatelly opperess his people.

  48. Elias and Sleshi have done marvelous job. You guys opened the gate it has been considered like a hell for long time. We Ethiopians have to educate ourselves and raise our political maturity to our people, that we shouldn’t be driven by emotions that was designed by previous Ethiopian leaders for their own selfish mentality to prolong their power by creating a phantom Enemy. Let us work for the best future of Horn of Africa.

  49. to the comment that says “But I strongly doubt if that motivation can come from someone who desperately oppresses his people.” who said that he oppresses his people? this is part of the disinformation by the weyane and u.s. more like a smear campaign, if u really want to make a judgment on what the Eritreans really think of him u should go there one time and see with your own eyes. He is a hero in eritrea. the weyane and the enemies of eritrea would wish to see eritreans and thier government not getting along, but that is not the case. its part of there propaganda, to cause confusion, and want to make it look like what is happening in ethiopia (were the majority do not like the weyane), is also happening in eritrea. So don’t be fooled, the weyane are the masters of lying, they have got a degree on it.

  50. Comment #89

    Why do you people keep on saying that Isaias “Oppreses his people”? Please stop advertising Weyane propoganda and that is all it is. There is no truth to it!

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