In the context of the war in Sudan, General Hemedti’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have tightened their grip on El-Fasher. As capital of Western Darfur, this city holds significant strategic and symbolic importance in the ongoing conflict. Strategically, ElFasher represents the last stronghold in the region still under the control of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Its capture would grant Hemedti’s paramilitary forces control over the entire region, potentially allowing them to establish an autonomous geopolitical entity. According to some sources, seizing the region would also strengthen the RSF’s logistics chain, securing supply lines from eastern Libya and Chad. Symbolically, El-Fasher was the epicenter of the Darfur genocide, and the international community fears that its recapture could lead to renewed ethnic cleansing. The RSF’s tactics in their bid to take the city leave little doubt in this regard. Bombardments of healthcare facilities have become constant, and the suffering of the civilian population has prompted the UN Security Council to pass a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire amid the offensive. Despite the dire news from El-Fasher, the regular armed forces do not appear to be focusing their efforts on retaking Darfur at the moment. Instead, the SAF continues to mobilize the bulk of its men and equipment towards the city of Omdurman, the main route to recapturing the capital, Khartoum. Al-Burhan’s plans hinge on this move to ensure the total recognition of the Sovereign Council as the only legitimate government of the country. In this context, the regular forces aim to capitalize on the Russian arms supplies expected to arrive at Port Sudan in the coming weeks, following an agreement with Moscow for the use of a port on the Red Sea. Meanwhile, the UN has officially recognized Sudan as an area affected by a major food crisis. June also saw significant protests in Kenya. After weeks of demonstrations against the government of William Ruto, the toll includes more than 200 arrests, 24 deaths, and dozens of injuries. The protests, led by Kenyan Gen Z, called for the cancellation of the financial bill proposed by Ruto’s government, which included substantial tax increases, including those on fuel and digital transactions. The demonstrations culminated in an assault on the Kenyan parliament on June 25, when protesters broke through police security and occupied parts of the building for several hours before being evicted. The protests were met with widespread violence by law enforcement, who in some cases opened fire on the crowd, drawing harsh condemnation from the international community. In this context, the Kenyan judiciary has taken a stand against the use of force by the police, opening several investigations into the security forces. In response to the protests, Ruto initially sought to calm the situation by acknowledging the reasons behind the demonstrations and expressing his willingness to work with his opponents. However, he later described the protesters as wealthy, bored youths or even criminals. The president then deployed the army to defend key state buildings, while the international community, led by the USA, pressured the government to stop the violent repression of the protests and listen to the people’s grievances. Ruto eventually withdrew the financial bill, leaving the public finance dilemma unresolved. Given the current state of Kenya’s finances, the government will need to find additional liquidity for the treasury, a crucial prerequisite for unlocking International Monetary Fund aid. Meanwhile, the mobilization continues, with protesters, emboldened by the withdrawal of the budget bill, now calling for the president’s resignation.
From Iran’s assertiveness to tensions between actors in the Horn of Africa, via piracy and terrorism: the role of the strategic straits in the new instability of the Gulf-Red Sea quadrant.
The visit of Italy’s President of the Republic to Kenya comes at a historic moment when the eyes of the world are on the region. Between symbolic and pragmatic, the visit puts Africa back at the heart of Italian foreign policy.
Head of state | Isaias Afewerki |
Head of Government | Isaias Afewerki |
Institutional Form | Presidential Republic, strong authoritarianism |
Capital | Asmara |
Legislative Power | Legislative Assembly, unicameral (150 Members of Parliament) |
Judicial Power | High Court |
Ambassador to Italy | Fessahazion Pietros Menghistu |
Total Area kmq | 117.600 Km² |
Land | 101.000 Km² |
Weather | Tropical-desertic on the coast and arid on the mountains |
Natural resources | gold, potassium, zinc, copper, salt, oil, natural gas and fish |
Economic summary | Eritrea has a planned economy and the finance is totally controlled by the State. About 80% of population works in the subsistence agriculture field, a small part of the total production of the country. Most of the gains come from mining (gold, copper, silver, potassium and zinc). The economy of the country depends, also, on the remittances of Eritreans who emigrated abroad. |
GDP | $2.9 billion (Dec. 2021) |
Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $642,5 (Dec. 2021) |
Exports | $596 million (2020) |
Export partner | UAE 44.6%, China 44.3%, South Korea 7.64%, Malaysia 2.48% (2020) |
Imports | $361 million (2020) |
Import partner | UAE 21.4%, Egypt 21.7%, China 19.4%, Italy 8.34%, Türkiye 2.74%, India 2.4% (2020) |
Trade With Italy | $13,9 million (2021) |
Population | 6.209.262 (2022 est.) |
Population Growth | +1,03% (2022) |
Ethnicities | Tigrinya 55%, Tigre 30%, Saho 4%, Kunama 2%, Rashaida 2%, Bilen 2%, others (Afar, Beni Amir, Nera) 5% (2010) |
Languages | Tigrinya, Arabic, English, Tiger, Kunama, Afar and other cushiitic |
Religions | Christians (Coptic, Catholics, Protestants) 62.2%, Muslims 36.6%, other religions 1% |
Urbanization | 42,6% (2022) |
Literacy | 76,6% (2022) |
Eritrea has existed as an independent state since 1991, following a referendum that marked its secession from Ethiopia. The country is located in the Horn of Africa and it borders to the north and west with Sudan, to the south with Ethiopia and to the southeast with Djibouti. Eritrea covers a strategic position on the Red Sea with more than 100 islands that overlooks Saudi Arabia and Yemen and 1200 km of coast. The population is about 6 million and the official languages are Tigrinya and Arabic.
Italy exports several products to Eritrea and it has been a partner for the country in the agricultural, commercial and productive sectors. Italy has a long-term presence in Eritrea, linked to the colonial period and subsequent business ventures in the construction, infrastructure and textile sectors.