Prayer Points

Christians Face Harsh Persecution In Eritrea February 16, 2026
In Eritrea, Christians experience intense persecution and fear. The government recognizes only four religious communities: the Eritrean Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church, the Lutheran Church, and Islam. Christians from other churches, particularly Protestant churches, are not recognized by the Continue Reading Tensions Rise Between Eritrea And Ethiopia February 9, 2026
Eritrea has rejected accusations from Ethiopia that its troops are operating inside Ethiopian territory, calling the claims false and politically motivated. The dispute began after Ethiopia’s foreign minister sent a letter demanding the withdrawal of Eritrean soldiers and accusing Continue Reading Eritrean Migrants Trapped By Traffickers February 2, 2026
Migrants from Eritrea often leave their country to escape poverty, repression, and endless military service. Many hope to reach Europe for safety and a better life, but their journey is extremely dangerous. A recent case in the Netherlands showed Continue Reading Rising Tensions Between Eritrea And Ethiopia January 20, 2026
Tensions between Eritrea and Ethiopia have risen again after Ethiopia’s police said they seized 56,000 rounds of ammunition sent by Eritrea to rebels in the Amhara region. Ethiopia accused Eritrea of supporting the Fano rebels, who have been fighting Continue Reading Eritrea Ranks Lowest On Press Freedom January 6, 2026
Eritrea has one of the worst press freedom situations in the world. It kept the lowest position in the 2025 Global Press Freedom Index, showing that there is almost no independent media in the country. The government controls all Continue Reading Prisoners Freed After Years Without Trial December 8, 2025
13 people were released from Eritrea's notorious Mai Serwa military prison, where they had been held without trial for over 18 years. These included a 69-year-old Olympian cyclist, Zeragaber Gebrehiwot; businessmen; engineers; and senior police officers. They first got Continue Reading Faith Barriers In Eritrea November 28, 2025
Eritrea has many people groups, and a large number of them remain unreached by the Christian faith. Ten of the 15 groups, or about two-thirds, are unreached, and seven are frontier groups where almost no Christian work happens. This Continue Reading Tensions Rise Between Eritrea And Ethiopia November 18, 2025
Eritrea and Ethiopia are facing serious tensions over access to the sea and control of ports. Eritrea’s Foreign Minister accused Ethiopia of preparing for war and said Ethiopia’s actions insult Eritrea’s independence. Ethiopia’s Foreign Minister, Dr. Gideon Timothy, said Continue Reading Severe Food Insecurity In Eritrea November 3, 2025
Food insecurity in Eritrea is a serious problem that affects a large part of the population, especially in rural areas. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), about 65% of Eritreans suffer from undernourishment, and around 78% of Continue Reading The Harsh Reality Of Eritrea’s Girl Soldiers October 23, 2025
In Eritrea, girls are forced to serve in the military from as young as age 16, usually during their last year of secondary school. The indefinite, compulsory service has been likened by former recruits to a slavery system, with Continue Reading Ethiopia Accuses Eritrea Of Plotting War Over Red Sea Access October 13, 2025
Ethiopia has accused Eritrea of working with a group linked to the Tigray conflict to start a new war. A letter from Ethiopia’s foreign minister to the United Nations claims that Eritrea and a hardline Tigray faction are supporting Continue Reading 24 Years of Silence: Eritrean Journalists Still Jailed Without Trial September 29, 2025 Four Eritrean journalists, including Swedish-Eritrean Dawit Isaak, have been in prison without trial for 24 years. They were arrested in 2001 during a government crackdown on free media and political opposition in Eritrea. Dawit was briefly released in 2005, but Continue Reading Eritrean Embassy Rejects Plea To Free Jailed Christian Leaders September 1, 2025 A coalition of Christian and human rights activists picketed outside the Eritrean Embassy in Washington, D.C., to present a letter demanding the release of seven Christian church leaders imprisoned in Eritrea for more than 20 years without trial. The leaders, Continue Reading Global Calls To Free Eritrean Pastors After 20 Years August 26, 2025 On August 21, charities including Open Doors UK & Ireland launched a campaign calling for the release of seven Eritrean pastors jailed for 21 years without charges. The campaign, marking the UN Day for Victims of Religious Violence, is in Continue Reading Call To Free Eritrean Church Leaders Jailed For 20 Years August 18, 2025 Christian groups are urging Eritrea to release seven church leaders who have been jailed without trial for over 20 years. The #Voices4Justice campaign states that these men have been denied their legal rights and family visits. Some belong to evangelical Continue Reading Eritrea’s Ongoing Internet Blackout August 12, 2025 Eritrea is one of the least connected countries in the world. In 2025, the government continues to block mobile internet access for its citizens. People in Eritrea cannot use mobile data and must rely on slow, limited internet from a Continue Reading Ethiopia And Eritrea’s War Crimes In Tigray August 4, 2025 A new report shows that Ethiopian and Eritrean soldiers committed mass rape, forced pregnancy, and sexual torture in Tigray. Health workers treated thousands of survivors, including babies, children, and elderly women. Many were raped in public, by many attackers, often Continue Reading Gash Barka Acts To End Child Marriage July 29, 2025 Eritrea’s Gash Barka region is stepping up efforts to end child marriage. At a meeting in Barentu on July 19–20, local women’s union leaders reported strong actions underway to eliminate underage marriage while also boosting women’s socio‑economic status. They highlighted progress Continue Reading Rising Tensions Between Eritrea And Ethiopia July 21, 2025 The relationship between Eritrea and Ethiopia has become tense again, showing signs of a new cold war. In a recent interview, Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki denied Ethiopia’s claims that Eritrean troops are still on Ethiopian land and causing problems. He Continue Reading Religious Repression In Eritrea July 16, 2025 In Eritrea, people still suffer for practicing their religion. Both recognized and unrecognized religious groups face arrests and mistreatment. From January to May, at least 110 Christians were arrested, including some children. Security forces raided homes, arresting 24 people in Continue Reading UN Rejects Eritrea’s Bid To End Rights Scrutiny July 7, 2025 The UN Human Rights Council rejected Eritrea’s attempt to stop international monitoring of its human rights record. Eritrea had proposed ending the role of the UN special rapporteur, claiming its rights issues were minor and due to limited resources. However, Continue Reading Eritrea’s Youth Exodus June 30, 2025 Many young people in Eritrea are leaving the country because of long national service, poor living conditions, and lack of freedom. Although the government says national service lasts 18 months, many youths are forced to serve for years. Some work Continue Reading Eritrea's Endless Rule: 32 Years Of Power Without Reform June 23, 2025 Eritrea’s President Isaias Afwerki has ruled the country for 32 years without holding elections. Once seen as a hopeful reformer, he promised democracy in the 1990s but later became increasingly authoritarian. After a war with Ethiopia in 1998, elections were Continue Reading Eritrea’s War On Free Press June 16, 2025 In Eritrea, press freedom is almost non-existent. Since 2001, the government has shut down all private newspapers and arrested many journalists, writers, and poets without trial. At least 12 are still in prison, making them the longest-detained journalists in the Continue Reading UN Urged To Investigate Eritrea’s Rights Abuses June 5, 2025 In May 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), along with 31 other organizations, urged the United Nations Human Rights Council to renew the mandate of the Special Rapporteur on Eritrea. This call highlights ongoing human rights violations in the Continue Reading Eritrea Marks 34 Years of Independence with Calls for Unity May 26, 2025 Eritrea's 34th Independence Day on 24th May 2025 was commemorated with the theme "Our Cohesion: Our Armour" as an affirmation of the country's cohesion and strength. The celebrations lasted for a week, which included colorful parades, concerts, art shows, and Continue Reading Human Rights Abuses In Eritrea April 29, 2025 Eritrea has long been criticized for systematic human rights abuses. Citizens live under the constant threat of arbitrary detention, torture, and forced labor. Political opponents, journalists, and those accused of dissent often disappear without trial. The legal system is largely Continue Reading Forced Military Recruitment In Eritrea April 21, 2025 Eritrea’s national service program amounts to indefinite forced military or civil labor. All citizens aged 18 to 40 are required to undergo military training at the Sawa camp, followed by what is meant to be 18 months of service. In Continue Reading Repression in Eritrea April 16, 2025 Eritrea remains one of the most repressive countries in the world. Since gaining independence in 1993, President Isaias Afwerki has ruled without elections, a ratified constitution, or political opposition. The country has no freedom of press or expression, with media Continue Reading Persecution and Perseverance of Eritrean Christians March 30, 2025 Eritrean Christians, particularly Evangelicals and Protestants, experience extreme persecution in Eritrea, as they are the only churches not officially recognized. Thousands of church members, including pastors such as Paulos, are imprisoned in torturous conditions within underground cells or shipping containers Continue Reading

Country Information

6,528,000 POPULATION 6 PERSECUTION RANKING Gov. Approved churches DOMINANT RELIGION Day 30 Pray For Eritrea keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right 2,920 close The northeast African country of Eritrea is situated on the Red Sea coast. Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti are the bordering countries. Asmara is the capital city and is famous for structures built during colonial rule by Italy. The country is ruled by a totalitarian regime and people are controlled by stern government norms. REFUGEES 50% POPULATION BELOW POVERTY LINE 63.81 yrs LIFE EXPECTANCY 80% LITERACY RATE Day 30 Pray for Eritrea keyboard_arrow_left keyboard_arrow_right

The northeast African country of Eritrea is situated on the Red Sea coast. Ethiopia, Sudan and Djibouti are the bordering countries. Asmara is the capital city and is famous for structures built during colonial rule by Italy. The country is ruled by a totalitarian regime and people are controlled by stern government norms. It seems to be an apt description of Eritrea that it has been compared to the worst rule in North Korea as “hermit kingdom”. In Eritrea everything is secretive and it is the most isolated country in the world. The Churches operating with approval are under the direct tight control of the government. Even the messages delivered there are constantly monitored. Terrible oppressive rule has displaced many people and many had to flee the country. Christian Believers have faced immense opposition that they had to run away from the volatile places. It is a very sad situation in Eritrea that even while half the population are Christians, extreme persecution is prevailing to the most.