From Revolution to Governance: The Political Fate of Socialism in Post-Independence Eritrea

This study examines the ideological evolution of the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) from a revolutionary movement to a ruling organization, focusing on the fate of socialist principles after independence. The study aims to rethink the transition from 1970s socialism to the 1990s system emphasizing distributive justice, assess the gap between egalitarian ideals and pragmatic governance, and examine the impact of global geopolitical pressures. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining in-depth interviews with 28 key informants, including former EPLF members, and surveys with 302 ex-combatants in Asmara in 2024. The study’s findings suggest that the ideological shift was driven by a need for inclusiveness, reflecting Eritrea’s diverse sociodemographic composition and global political changes. It concludes that the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front has adopted a hybrid ideology, prioritizing pragmatic state-building over a rigid socialist doctrine shaped by local realities and global dynamics, highlighting the difficulties of translating revolutionary ideals into sustainable governance.