"Eritrea's Repressive Government Faces Backlash as Festival Violence Escalates"

Festivals held by Eritrea's diaspora in Europe and North America have been attacked by exiles who criticize the repressive government and accuse it of being the "North Korea of Africa." The violence highlights the bitter divide between supporters of the government and exiles who fear for their loved ones back home. Eritrea's government dismisses the exiles as "asylum scum" and accuses the West of trying to weaken the country. Some Eritreans and state-backed media have blamed the attacks on ethnic Tigrayans from northern Ethiopia, but advocates deny involvement. The government openly encourages diaspora members to contribute funds, but citizens living overseas must pay a 2% tax on income earned abroad to obtain services. Eritrea is one of the world's poorest and most secretive countries, with widespread poverty and allegations of human rights abuses.