Eritrea - Women praising God - Photo: VOMC

Eritrea

Eritrea is one of the most secretive and isolated countries of the world. In 2002, the government outlawed every religion except for Sunni Islam, Eritrean Orthodox, Roman Catholicism and the Lutheran Church. All other religious groups are illegal, and the government heavily controls approved churches. Years of Communism, required military service and economic depression have forced many Eritreans -- including evangelical believers -- to flee the country. Despite these hardships, the underground church in Eritrea continues to grow due to the faithfulness of church leaders both inside and outside the country.

Life for Christians:

Evangelical churches are highly persecuted and must meet secretly. The government actively seeks to infiltrate these underground churches and imprison their leaders. Over the past 16 years, hundreds of Christians have been imprisoned because of their faith. Approximately 300 believers are known to remain in prison. Imprisoned Christians are not given a trial, nor are they allowed to see their families -- many of whom do not know where their loved ones are located or if they are still alive. The conditions inside the country's prisons are some of the harshest in the world. Christian prisoners are provided meager rations, treated very poorly and, in some areas, held inhumanely for years within metal shipping containers amid extreme desert conditions.

  • Country Information

    Designation
    Persecuted

    Population
    6,147,398 (July 2021 est.)

    Ethnicity (%)
    Tigrinya (50), Tigre (30), Saho (4), Afar (4) Kunama (4), Bilen (3), other (5)

    Religion (%)
    Islam (47.4), Christianity (48.8), other (3.8)

    Leader
    President Isaias Afworki (1993)

    Government type
    Presidential republic

    Legal system
    Mixed legal system of civil, customary, and Islamic religious law

    Sources: CIA World Factbook, Operation World

  • Pray for Eritrea

    Ask the Lord to provide imprisoned Eritrean believers a means of escape and a place of safe refuge. Pray for Him to also work deeply in the hearts of the country's governing officials so they will grant His people the freedom to worship Him and glorify His matchless name. Mindful of their own human frailties, may these political leaders realize the need to make Jesus their own personal Saviour and Lord by accepting His gift of eternal salvation.

Eritrea News

  • Approximately 50 Believers Recently Released!
    A microphone and a laptop

    In April, a group of 103 young Christian musicians were arrested in the Eritrean capital of Asmara. They had gathered to sing songs of praise, which were to be shared on YouTube, but the young Christians were deemed by the government to be involved in an illegal religious gathering. For more information on this incident, see this page.

  • Several Imprisoned Christians Released!
    Pastor Haile and Dr. Kiflu
    Pastor Haile Naizgi and Dr. Kiflu
    Gebremeskel, who remain in prison.

    In a Persecution & Prayer Alert report that was published on July 27th, a call had been issued for prayer on behalf of two Christian leaders who have served more than 7,000 days in prison, without charge, because of their faith. (For more details about their situations, go to this page.)