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Isaias Afewerki, the president of Eritrea, has accused the former United States administration of attempting to divide Africa into four America-influenced regions.

He said the administration had placed a “proxy'' in each region to further its policies. He accused Ethiopia of supporting piracy in the Red Sea.

In an exclusive interview with Weekend Review in the Eritrean capital Asmara, President Afewerki said international and American troops were incapable of putting an end to piracy.

He cited Ethiopia, Kenya and Nigeria as proxies for the United States.

He accused the CIA of trafficking Eritrean youth, adding that the US had used several ploys to create political instability in his country.

He also alleged that America had repeatedly raised false alarms on the deterioration of human rights in Eritrea.

He said Saudi Arabia could play a crucial role in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea after the retraction of the Egyptian role in the region.

Excerpts:

What is your view on fighting piracy at sea? What steps are being taken by Eritrea to tackle piracy?

We should not look at the issue merely as events. We should get to the root of the problem — the situation in Somalia.

It may be difficult to find a quick solution but we should continue working towards it.

Had there been a stable government in Somalia with strong institutions, this situation would not have arisen.

Do you mean the solution lies in action on land and not the sea?

Yes. The solution lies in the situation in Somalia. There are international and regional powers benefiting from piracy.

The political, institutional and security vacuum in Somalia for the past 18 years has created so-called warlords who encourage piracy.

There are regional powers that support the division of Somalia because they believe it will make their position strong.

But they will have to suffer the consequences in future because the situation in Somalia will negatively affect them. Ethiopia may believe the disintegration of Somalia will bode well for it.

But such a situation would neither be in the interest of the Somalis in Ogden nor that of the ethnic Oromos, Tigrays, Amharas or Afars. On the contrary, this will complicate the situation.

If the Kenyans believe the situation in Somalia is comfortable for them, they are wrong.

Piracy is the product of the situation in Somalia. Warships, aircraft carriers and marine forces from various countries in the Red Sea have been unable to put an end to piracy.

Poor Somalis using boats have become desperate because they have no hope in life.

Do you mean Ethiopia is involved in supporting piracy?
There is no need to link it that way. On the ground, Ethiopia is benefiting from the present situation in Pont Land and Somali Land as it has security interests and links with parties in these areas.

Ethiopia has an interest in the continuation of piracy and is working towards aggravating the situation. I have detailed information on this.

The Ethiopian rulers look at a united and stable Somalia as a threat. They think the break-up of Somalia is in their interest. This is an announced policy.

Going by the logic that the regime is in getting political and military support from outside for the so-called war on terror, I don't dismiss that Ethiopia is benefiting directly or indirectly from piracy operations, too.

This is not a political analysis but a reality supported by details.

What was the basis of the former US administration's policy in Africa and what should the present administration do?

The previous policy of the US was based on dividing Africa into four influential regions and to have a “proxy'' in each region to ensure that its word is followed. In the north, matters were complicated.

The American policy was stuck with the Palestinian question — an important factor for Egypt and the Maghreb states.

In the west, the former US administration had selected Nigeria to act as an “anchor'' for furthering the American agenda.

In East Africa, the Kenyan-Ethiopian alliance was selected to be the proxy in the Horn of Africa and the eastern part of the continent.

The least the people who have struggled with you for Eritrea's liberation could ask for is human rights. What efforts has the government made in this area?

Eritrea maintains human rights. I'm saying without hesitation and based on confirmed information.

The only opposition is from the CIA, which has misled some Eritreans and attempted to create political problems in the name of religion, tribe or regions.

The CIA has adopted all the means to create political instability in Eritrea.

Every other day America talks about human rights and other issues.

I want to tell the world that the Eritrean people and their human rights are not in need of an advocate.

We did not ask anybody to give us a certificate in maintaining human rights in this country.

The people know what benefits them.

But why do you restrict citizens from going abroad? Why can't Eritrean youths travel to the Gulf, for instance, or to any other place in the world and later return to their country?

This situation was an outcome of previous American polices when Washington created a border dispute between Ethiopia and us. Several countries have a compulsory national service (conscription).

In Eritrea's case, it is a long-term service as we are facing a border dispute with Ethiopia and the former US administration has placed us on a permanent state of alert.

This situation does not allow our youths to travel abroad unless they finish their military service. We can't compromise our national security and our independence.

Every citizen has a duty in this regard. The dangerous thing is that the CIA has been involved in trafficking Eritrean youths over the years.

There were youths who secretly left the country. Some of them drowned on their way to Europe while others died in the desert or were killed as happened during a recent air raid on a convoy in eastern Sudan.

Instead of accusing our government, human rights organisations should look for the gangs employed by the CIA for human trafficking.

These organisations should protect the youths lured into leaving their country.

Is there any stipulated time for Eritrean youths to finish their compulsory national service and be able to travel abroad to improve their living standards?

Yes. Some of those who completed their tenure were relieved from service.

In this context, we have agreements with the United Nations and the World Bank to set up a commission for those who are relieved from service.

But the former US administration created hurdles in this. As for working abroad, we have agreements with Gulf states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Thousands of Eritreans are working in these countries.

How would you describe Saudi Arabia's stance vis-à-vis the problems in the Horn of Africa, particularly because Saudi Arabia is the Gulf country nearest to the region?

Saudi Arabia is qualified to play a crucial and key role in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea zone because of geographical and economic factors despite the fact that traditionally this role has been played by Egypt.

There is a vacuum in the region now and I believe Egypt won't be able to play an important role in the future of the region.

Saudi Arabia is capable of playing an essential role in the region as it has good relations with all countries in the region. But Saudi Arabia's foreign policy is “shy''.

It did not take the initiative of increasing its role in the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea, although, as you have said, it is the only Gulf state overlooking the Red Sea.

We are in contact with Saudi Arabia to have them play a constructive role in the region.

You recently met UAE Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

What was the outcome of your talks?

We discussed several issues, including bilateral relations and developments in the region.

The visit was related to the UAE's bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Centre. We have expressed our support for this.

Why is Eritrea involved in this issue?

The UAE wants to have Eritrea's vote at international organisations in this regard.

Our talks focused on bilateral cooperation as the UAE has investment projects in Eritrea and wants to complete them fast.

Why has there been a rise in sectarian and tribal conflicts in the Horn of Africa and the Middle East?

There are foreign powers which work towards creating sectarian and tribal disputes in Arab and African countries.

These powers — the US at the forefront and other Western states — have benefited from the lack of awareness about leadership in the Arabian and African regions and that has driven them to fuel sectarian, tribal and religious divisions.

These foreign powers believe that weakening the capabilities of people in the region cannot be achieved through military operations.

So they incite tribal and sectarian feelings, which result in disagreements and helps spread chaos.

You get a monthly salary like any other Eritrean official and your travel expenses were rationalised. How do you adapt to this situation?

Probably my simple upbringing and my conviction that a person should liberate himself from the trappings of power to be more dynamic and efficient has led to this.

Moreover, normal life makes a person more successful and more accepted in the society where he lives.

As a head of state, I should not live in an ivory tower. He who lives at the expense of his people, would he live in peace? For sure, no.

As for my refusal to stay in the Presidential Palace, I do not view this as a profit. My real profit is to contribute in changing the life of people.

Why do you move in Asmara without a Presidential motorcade?

Because Eritreans do not like military presence on city streets. Our security is derived from the people and not from the police, military or security technologies.

I don't think that during your visit you have noticed any deployment of police or army on Asmara's streets.