form:
State of Eritrea
conventional short form:
Eritrea
local long form:
none
local short form:
none
former:
Eritrea Autonomous Region in Ethiopia
Digraph:
ER
Type:
transitional government
note:
on 29 May 1991 ISSAIAS Afeworke, secretary general of the Eritrean
People's Liberation Front (EPLF), announced the formation of the
Provisional Government in Eritrea (PGE), in preparation for the 23-25
April 1993 referendum on independence for the autonomous region of
Eritrea; the result was a landslide vote for independence that was
announced on 27 April 1993
Capital:
Asmara (formerly Asmera)
Administrative divisions:
7 provinces; Akale Guzay, Baraka, Denakil, Hamasen, Samhar, Seraye,
Sahil (1993)
Independence:
27 May 1993 (from Ethiopia; formerly the Eritrea Autonomous Region)
National holiday:
National Day (independence from Ethiopia), 24 May (1993)
Constitution:
transitional "constitution" decreed 19 May 1993
Legal system:
NA
Suffrage:
NA
Executive branch:
chief of state and head of government:
President ISSAIAS Afeworke (since 22 May 1993)
cabinet:
State Council; the collective executive authority
note:
election to be held before 20 May 1997
Legislative branch:
unicameral
National Assembly:
EPLF Central Committee serves as the country's legislative body until
multinational elections are held (before 20 May 1997)
Judicial branch:
Judiciary
Political parties and leaders:
Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) (Christian Muslim), ISSAIAS
Aferworke, PETROS Solomon; Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) (Muslim),
ABDULLAH Muhammed; Eritrean Liberation Front - United Organization
(ELF-UO), Mohammed Said NAWUD; Eritrean Liberation Front -
Revolutionary Council (ELF-RC), Ahmed NASSER
Other political or pressure groups:
Eritrean Islamic Jihad (EIJ); Islamic Militant Group
Member of:
OAU, ACP, AfDB, ECA, ILO, IMO, INTELSAT (nonsignatory user), ITU, UN,
UNCTAD, UNESCO, UPU, WMO
Diplomatic representation in US:
chief of mission:
Ambassador-designate Hagos GEBREHIWOT
chancery:
Suite 400, 910 17th Street NW, Washington DC 20006
telephone:
(202) 429-1991
FAX:
(202) 429-9004
US diplomatic representation:
chief of mission:
Ambassador Robert G. HOUDEK
embassy:
34 Zera Yacob St., Asmara
mailing address:
P.O. Box 211, Asmara
telephone:
[291] (1) 123-720
FAX:
[291] (1) 127-584
Flag:
red isosceles triangle (based