Isaias Afewerki has been President of Eritrea since 1993. He was born February 2, 1946, in Asmara, Eritrea’s capital.
BBC News reports that presidential elections were supposed to take place in 1997 but never did. Eritrea’s news sources are all government-owned; only the Eritrean Orthodox Tewahdo Church, Sunni Islam, Catholicism, and the Evangelical Lutheran church are officially recognized. Other religious groups are required to register with the government but those “that have met all of the registration requirements have still not received official recognition” (Wikipedia). Refugees from Eritrea report torture they endured because of their Christian faith, and Patriarch Abune Antonios is under house arrest, though he heads the government-recognized Eritrean Orthodox Church.
Please pray for Isaias Afewerki, that God would change him and his officials, that justice would be done in Eritrea for people of all faiths, that Christians would be able to share their faith and worship openly, and that the whole country would come to know and glorify God through Christ.
For more information on Afewerki and Eritrea, visit the following links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaias_Afewerki http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1070813.stm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eritrea http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7015033.stm (details torture and imprisonment of Christians)
Sources: Wikipedia, BBC News
“First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1Tim. 2:1-2, ESV).
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 43-45, ESV)
