· by Martin Plaut · in Eritrea, Horn of Africa.
I have this from a friend this morning:
Around 100 members of the Eritrean Defence force and two tanks stormed the ministry of Information head quarters in Forto just outside Asmara and forced their commanders and also the top officials at the ministry into one room and then went on to force the news reader Asmelash to read announcements that:
- they will be freeing all prisoners of conscience
- they will implement the constitution
- that the ministry of information is under their total control
Eritrean TV has been off air since then though our contacts did see the announcement and have confirmed that unusual movements around Forto.
Update:
Report, still not confirmed, that airport & central bank under control of dissident troops. Asmara calm. Armoured cars on streets.