The Political Economy of the Eritrean War of Independence 1961 - 1991

The political economy of the Eritrean War of Independence (EWI) examines the power relationships that were unfolded during the War. In this study, political economy refers to the making and administering of power. The political economy approach to the EWI presents a new theoretical perspective to understanding war. The making and administering of power manifests itself through power struggle that occurs during war. Therefore, power struggle determines power relationships of the forces that were involved in the war. This study entails three major themes. The first theme addresses the prelude to the EWI and the background to the power struggle unfolded during the War. The second theme addresses international involvements in the wars of the horn of Africa and their impacts on the EWI. The third theme examines the formation of the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) that started the EWI in 1961 and its implosion in 1969.