Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki Turns 69

President Isaias Afwerki, who was born on February 2, 1946, turned 69 yesterday.

Age 68 was relatively a quiet year for the president. He wasn't declared dead by the so-called opposition, so he didn't need to resurrect to prove them wrong. Instead of supernatural miracles, PIA focused his 68th year by refusing to let Ethiopia's occupation of Eritrean territory hold the country hostage politically. To this end, he restructured his government, announced the formation of a Constitution, capped National Military Service to 18 months, and released journalists.

Despite these accomplishments and more, age 69 awaits PIA with more challenges, including urban housing and energy shortages, strengthening institutions, improving internet broadband services, improving the government's weak digital media presence, and defending the country against exogenous threats.

In celebration of his birthday, we bring you images of his life throughout the decades:

Isaias in the 1950s

Isaias Afwerki (tallest one) as a child with his brothers in Asmara -1950s

Isaias in the 1960s

The picture below is of Isaias in 1967 at the Nanjing Military College in China. The ELF sent him, along with four other fighters, to study political ideologies and guerrilla warfare in China.

Standing L-R: 5th Isaias Afwerki, 6th Mahmoud Ibrahim Chekini/Cecchini, martyred 1972, 7th Ramadan Mohammed Nur, 9th Ahmed Adem Omer. Sitting L-R: 3rd Ahmed Ibrahim Ahmed

Isaias in the 1970s

These men, who were led by Isaias Afawerki (yellow arrow), left ELF to create what would arguably be one of the greatest revolutions in modern history. They rejected tribalism, religious fundamentalism and sexism. They believed  in equality and in empowering women. But above all, they believed in self reliance. It was these young guys that changed the course of history in the region. When this picture was taken in 1974, all of Eritrea's independence hopes rested on a confident 28-year-old Isaias Afwerki's shoulders. He took on the challenge, and led Eritrea to victory.

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