Eritrean Refugee in Israel Seeks to Overthrow Regime
Translated & summarized from Kan News by baba
Eritrean refugee Degen Mengesha, now based in Israel, is actively working to overthrow the Eritrean regime and establish democracy. He is seeking international support, including from Israel, Ethiopia, and the UAE, and has raised the possibility of forming an armed exile force. Mengesha believes regime change is a regional security interest due to Eritrea's ties with Iran and its strategic location. The movement's success hinges on Eritrean citizens, though external aid is being pursued amidst regional instability.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Eritrean refugee Degen Mengesha, living in Israel, is leading a movement to overthrow the Eritrean regime.
- Mengesha seeks support from Ethiopia, Israel, and the UAE for his cause.
- He has proposed forming an armed force of Eritrean exiles to fight the government.
- The movement views regime change as a regional security interest due to Eritrea's Iran ties.
- Mengesha emphasizes that Eritrean citizens must ultimately drive the change.
- The activist's efforts are taking place amid regional instability in the Horn of Africa.
Degen Mengesha, a 32-year-old Eritrean refugee who arrived in Israel at age 15, has become a prominent activist aiming to topple the Eritrean regime and establish a democratic government. Speaking to Kan News on Monday, Mengesha urged regional nations to join the struggle.
Mengesha sees the current chaos stemming from the renewed war in northern Ethiopia and shifting alliances in the Horn of Africa as an opportunity for Eritreans to act against President Afwerki, who has ruled since the country's independence over three decades ago. He traveled to Mekelle to observe developments and engage with the organization of Afwerki's opponents.
He raised the possibility of forming an armed force of Eritrean exiles to fight the government, expressing a desire for assistance from countries including Ethiopia, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates. "We want to end the one-man rule that exists in Eritrea by any means possible," Mengesha stated, emphasizing that the current regime is maintained by force, not the will of the people. He stressed that while external support is welcome, the ultimate change depends on Eritrean citizens.
Mengesha argued that overthrowing the Eritrean regime serves the security interests of regional nations, particularly Israel, due to Eritrea's ties with Iran and the Houthis in Yemen, and its strategic location near the Bab-el-Mandeb strait. The Eritrean opposition's efforts are unfolding against the backdrop of the 2020-2022 Ethiopian civil war, which, despite a peace agreement, left unresolved issues regarding territory, demobilization, and power-sharing. Recent months have seen a destabilization of these arrangements.
Despite having the option to live safely in Canada, Mengesha chose to go to the conflict zone, driven by a deep desire to return to his homeland, comparing the Eritrean exiles' dream to the historical Jewish aspiration to return to Israel. The success of Mengesha and his partners in transforming their political organization into a tangible force capable of challenging Afwerki's rule remains uncertain, especially as the conflict in northern Ethiopia reshapes regional power dynamics.