Book Review by Professor Araya Debessay - Renewing the Promise: A New Vision for Eritrea, written by Semere Solomon

The book I would like to introduce today is Renewing the Promise: A New Vision for Eritrea, written by Semere Solomon.

This is a timely, thoughtful, and ambitious book. It is not simply a criticism of Eritrea’s current political system. Nor is it merely another account of the country’s long struggle for independence. Rather, it examines what went wrong after independence and, more importantly, proposes a comprehensive vision for rebuilding Eritrea as a peaceful, democratic, just, and prosperous nation.

The book is more than 300 pages long and consists of 15 chapters. It covers a wide range of subjects, including political governance, economic development, social welfare, national unity, culture, security, foreign relations, the role of the diaspora, transitional justice, and the challenges that may arise during the transition from dictatorship to democracy.

To appreciate the book fully, it is important to understand the author’s background. Semere Solomon participated personally in Eritrea’s long struggle for independence. After independence, he served as a senior official in education planning. He later acquired extensive international experience working in development, including with international institutions such as the United Nations and USAID.

Consequently, he writes from several valuable perspectives: as a former freedom fighter, as someone who served within the Eritrean government, as an international development practitioner, and, above all, as an Eritrean deeply concerned about the future of his country.

The title, Renewing the Promise, captures the central message of the book.

The Eritrean people made enormous sacrifices during the 30-year armed struggle. They did not struggle merely to establish a sovereign state or to raise a new flag. They also struggled for dignity, justice, equality, accountable government, and a better life for future generations.

Independence was achieved in 1991, and Eritrea formally became a sovereign nation in 1993. However, according to the author, many of the broader promises of the liberation struggle remain unfulfilled. Eritrea achieved national sovereignty, but its people did not receive the constitutional government, political freedom, social justice, and human-centered development for which they had sacrificed so much.

The book therefore asks an important question: How can Eritreans reclaim those original aspirations and renew the promise of independence?

In addressing this question, Semere identifies some of the major problems that have affected Eritrea since independence. These include the absence of constitutional government, the concentration of power in the hands of a few individuals, the suppression of political and civic freedoms, indefinite national service, economic stagnation, institutional deterioration, and the continuing departure of large numbers of Eritreans—especially the young.

One of the book’s important contributions is that it does not present Eritrea’s crisis merely as the failure of one individual. Semere sees it as a deeper institutional and structural problem. When a country lacks strong, independent, and accountable institutions, too much power can become concentrated in the hands of an individual or a small group. The country is then governed through personal decisions rather than through a constitution, laws, and functioning public institutions.

This is a valuable lesson for Eritrea’s future. Removing an authoritarian ruler, by itself, will not be enough. Unless Eritreans build democratic institutions, respect the rule of law, and establish effective safeguards against the abuse of power, the country could repeat the same mistakes under a different leadership.

The book also stresses that political reform and economic development cannot be separated. Democracy will be difficult to sustain if people lack employment, education, healthcare, food security, and hope for a better life. At the same time, lasting economic development is unlikely without good governance, accountability, predictable laws, and respect for individual rights.

Semere therefore advocates a people-centered approach to development. In such an approach, economic growth is not treated as an end in itself. It must improve the actual lives of the people. Development should create employment, strengthen education and healthcare, support agriculture and private enterprise, and give young Eritreans a reason to remain in their country instead of risking their lives in search of opportunities elsewhere.

Another major theme is national reconciliation. Eritrea’s problems cannot be solved through revenge or by replacing one form of exclusion with another. After decades of repression, mistrust, political divisions, and social wounds, the country will require an inclusive national dialogue.

Such a dialogue must involve political organizations, civil society groups, religious and community leaders, women, young people, former fighters, professionals, and Eritreans in the diaspora. The objective should not be to determine who can claim exclusive ownership of Eritrea, but to establish how Eritreans with different backgrounds and political views can build their country together.

Semere also gives serious attention to transitional justice. Eritrea must acknowledge the suffering caused by imprisonment, disappearance, repression, and other abuses. Victims and their families deserve truth and justice. However, justice must be pursued in a way that helps the country heal and prevents further cycles of retaliation. Accountability and reconciliation must therefore be carefully balanced.

The author proposes several broad measures for a successful transition. These include establishing an inclusive transitional government, introducing a constitutional framework, restoring the rule of law, and organizing a national dialogue involving the many sectors of Eritrean society. These steps would lay the foundation for legitimate democratic institutions and, eventually, free and fair elections.

I was particularly impressed by Chapter 8, which discusses the Eritrean diaspora and how its enormous potential can be harnessed for national renewal.

Eritreans living abroad possess significant professional knowledge, financial resources, international experience, and valuable connections. They include educators, doctors, engineers, lawyers, businesspeople, researchers, public administrators, and professionals in many other fields. Yet the political influence of the diaspora has been weakened by fragmentation, mistrust, and organizational divisions.

Semere argues that the diaspora must move beyond simply criticizing the present system. It must prepare constructively for Eritrea’s future. Its members can contribute ideas, professional expertise, investment, institution-building experience, and support for democratic transformation.

This chapter is especially relevant to the current effort of the Registration and Election Commission to register justice-seeking, pro-democracy Eritreans throughout the diaspora. The Commission’s ultimate objective is to enable Eritreans to elect legitimate global representatives who can coordinate their efforts and help develop a coherent strategy for democratic change.

In my view, the Commission’s work is closely connected to Semere’s call for the diaspora to transform its considerable potential into organized and effective action. A fragmented diaspora can issue many statements, but an organized diaspora with democratically elected representatives can speak with greater legitimacy, develop concrete plans, and become a credible partner in Eritrea’s democratic transition and reconstruction.

The book also places Eritrea within the wider geopolitical environment of the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea. Eritrea’s future cannot be considered in isolation from developments in Ethiopia, Sudan, Somalia, Egypt, the Gulf states, and the broader international community. Its strategic location can become either a source of danger and conflict or an opportunity for regional cooperation, trade, and development. Much will depend on the quality and wisdom of Eritrea’s future leadership.

Although the book deals with painful realities, its message is ultimately one of hope. Semere does not believe Eritrea’s present condition is permanent or inevitable. He believes the country can begin again if Eritreans restore constitutional government, build accountable institutions, reconcile their differences, and place the welfare of the people at the center of national policy.

For me, the book has three major functions.

First, it is a diagnosis. It explains why the promises of independence have not been fulfilled.

Second, it is a warning. It reminds us that changing leaders without changing institutions and political culture may simply reproduce the same problems.

Third, and most importantly, it is a roadmap. It encourages Eritreans to begin preparing now for the difficult work of democratic transition, national reconciliation, institutional reconstruction, and economic recovery.

I strongly recommend Renewing the Promise: A New Vision for Eritrea, particularly to Eritrean political organizations, civic activists, members of the diaspora, scholars, development professionals, and young Eritreans concerned about the future of their country.

Readers may not agree with every argument or recommendation in the book. That is natural. The value of an important book is not that every reader must agree with every sentence. Its value is that it raises the right questions, stimulates serious discussion, and encourages people to move from criticism to constructive planning.

Semere Solomon has given Eritreans an important framework for discussing not only how authoritarian rule might end, but also what should come afterward. He reminds us that achieving political change is only the beginning. The larger challenge is to build a country governed by law, strengthened by democratic institutions, united in its diversity, and committed to the dignity and well-being of all its citizens.

In short, Renewing the Promise challenges Eritreans to honor the sacrifices of the past by building a better future. It asks us to transform disappointment into determination, fragmentation into cooperation, and the unfulfilled promise of independence into a renewed national vision.

I congratulate Semere Solomon for producing such a timely and valuable contribution to the discussion about Eritrea’s future.

Thank you.