Written By Lisa Murimi
Berhane Abrehe, a former Eritrean finance minister and outspoken critic of President Isaias Afwerki, has died in prison at the age of 79, his family has confirmed.Â
Abrehe, who served as Eritrea’s longest-serving finance minister, was removed from his position in 2012 after clashing with the president.
He was imprisoned in 2018 after publishing a book in which he labeled President Isaias a “dictator” and called for his resignation.
The Eritrean government, known for its secrecy regarding the deaths of senior officials in custody, notified Abrehe’s family of his death.
His body has not yet been released, and details about his death remain unclear. It is reported that there are plans to bury him in Asmara Patriots Cemetery, reserved for veterans of Eritrea’s independence war.
Abrehe’s imprisonment, like many others in Eritrea, occurred without trial, and he was held in an undisclosed location.
His death underscores the ongoing human rights abuses in Eritrea, where political parties, independent media, and civic organizations are banned, and thousands are detained in inhumane conditions.
Abrehe’s legacy as a critic of the regime and advocate for transparency remains significant, even as his death highlights the grim reality of political repression in Eritrea.
