Seyoum Mesfin Gebredingel: A Profile of Eritrea’s Former Foreign Minister
Seyoum Mesfin Gebredingel is a prominent Eritrean politician and diplomat who served as the country’s Foreign Minister from 1993 to 2010. He was born on June 25, 1949, in Asmara, Eritrea, and was educated at the University of Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, where he studied political science and international relations.
After completing his studies, Seyoum returned to Eritrea and became involved in the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF), a Marxist-Leninist group that was fighting for Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia. He quickly rose through the ranks of the organization and was appointed as its representative to the United States in 1977. Seyoum played a key role in securing support for the EPLF from the international community, including the United States.
After Eritrea gained independence in 1993, Seyoum was appointed as the country’s first Foreign Minister. He played a leading role in developing Eritrea’s foreign policy and establishing diplomatic relations with other countries. Seyoum was also a key figure in the negotiations that led to the signing of the Algiers Agreement in 2000, which ended the Eritrea-Ethiopia War.
Despite his early successes, Seyoum’s tenure as Foreign Minister was also marked by controversy. He was criticized by human rights organizations for his role in Eritrea’s authoritarian government and for its human rights abuses. In addition, Seyoum was implicated in a corruption scandal in 2012, when the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia and Eritrea accused him of diverting funds intended for Eritrea’s national budget to a personal account.
In 2013, Seyoum was relieved of his position as Foreign Minister and was appointed as an adviser to President Isaias Afwerki. He held this position until his death on December 13, 2020, in Asmara.
Seyoum Mesfin Gebredingel was a controversial figure in Eritrean politics and diplomacy, with a legacy that is both celebrated and criticized. While he played a significant role in securing Eritrea’s independence and establishing its diplomatic relations, he was also associated with an authoritarian government accused of human rights abuses and corruption. Despite his death, Seyoum’s impact on Eritrea’s foreign policy and politics will continue to be felt for years to come.
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