Isaias Afewerki led a guerrilla army that helped to overthrow the Ethiopian dictator

Mengistu Haile Mariam in 1991 and win independence for Eritrea, which the Red Sea country

secured after a referendum two years later. As Eritrea’s president, he initially pledged to introduce

multiparty democracy and free markets. But a border war with

Ethiopia from 1998 to 2000 led to a sharp change in course.

Today, Mr Isaias is accused of being a dictator and Eritrea is one of the most secretive and insular

corners of Africa.