President Isaias Afewerki told Al Jazeera that elections won't happen in Eritrea for another "three or four decades"
(JT) In an interview with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), the Eritrean journalist who reported about the alleged assassination attempt on Eritrea's president Isayas Afewerki said the unsuccessful conspirator was a member of the Eritrean Defence force. According to the UK-based Asena.com website editor Amanual Gebre Kidan, the person who attempted to kill the President has been shot on the spot by bodyguards.
Amanuel said the attempt took place on August 13 along the Asmara-Massawa road. But Eritrean Ambassador in the US said the report is not true. The journalist however stated that Eritreans are "fed up" of the President who has been in power since 1991 and he claims to have credible sources inside the Eritrean government about the incident.
"The country is at a breaking point" Amanuel said, and he added that there is a lack of food in Eritrea and the political crisis is worsening.
Araya Desta, the Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Eritrea to the United Nations in New York said the report was totally fabricated and without any basis.
The Eritrean opposition in the Diaspara accuse the president for the "mass exodus" of thousands of Eritrean youth who flee to avoid the long military service. Critics say Eritrea has operated without a constitution since its founding while private media and opposition parties are illegal in the country. Recently, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that the US will "take action" against Eritrea if it does not stop supporting militants in Somalia. The Asmara government also trains Oromo Liberation Front (OLF) and Ogaden National Liberation Front(ONLF) separatist fighters in Eritrea.
