Khaled Abdu says that the Eritrean regime is trying to map exiled Eritreans in Sweden
According to analysts Norran has communicated with, the Eritrean regime has previously organized similar events to exert control over critics. The event this weekend coincides with Eritrea's Independence Day on Saturday, May 20th. It promises various artist performances, food, games, and competitions. The Eri-United Association has booked the venue for the entire weekend.
– Those arranging the event are supporters of the dictatorship. They aim to create fear and pressure among us who oppose the regime's inhumane and undemocratic actions," says Nasser Nuru of the Eritrean Association in Skellefteå.
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) reports that festivals are a common tactic that the Eritrean state uses to influence and control Eritreans living abroad.
In their recently released report "Diaspora and Influence from Foreign Power," MSB states the objective is to "appeal to the patriotism of the diaspora through festivals" in order to ultimately prevent Eritreans abroad from exercising their civil rights and freedoms.
Norran has spoken with Khaled Abdu, an Eritrean journalist based in Stockholm. He is often cited in Swedish media on matters relating to Eritrea and the Eritrean regime. He claims that the regime mandates all Eritreans living abroad to pay an income tax of two percent annually. Failure to comply can lead to repercussions for relatives back in Eritrea.
– These parties serve as opportunities for the regime to collect this tax. They're also about consolidating political power and controlling which Eritreans support the regime, he says.
Abdu believes another purpose is to divide regime critics.
– Many Eritreans in Skellefteå are critical of the dictatorship. The regime wants to disrupt this opposition. Young Eritreans may view these events as a way to connect with other Eritreans, to build their networks, and perhaps find a romantic partner. This is something the regime takes advantage of, he says, adding:
– Imagine if Russia were to organize such a festival. It would be unacceptable! But in Sweden, there is an ignorance that makes it possible.
In recent times, several Eritrean festivals in Sweden have garnered significant attention. Events in Järva and Örebro, for instance, were halted. Others have resulted in violent riots. Last autumn, an Eritrean party in Husby led to riots and over 100 individuals were detained by the police.
Nasser Nuru is worried that there will be violent clashes in connection with the party.
In recent years, a regime-critical group named Berged Nhamedu has emerged. This group has stirred chaos at regime-loyal gatherings, both within Sweden and internationally.
– The group comprises young individuals who are provoked by the regime. They get accused for spies and such. This makes them angry. Many young individuals have experienced horrible things while fleeing and are in need of rehabilitation. When they get provoked, they can't accept it, says Khaled Abdu.
Berged Nhamedu has arranged counter demonstrations at several Eritrean festivals which has led to violence. Khaled Abdu says that he doesn't endorse violence, but he sympathises with the group's regime-critical message. He also thinks that the regime provokes the group into becoming violent.
– Berged Nhamedu go to festivals, they gather and try to stop them. It turns non-friendly when they are denied entry, says Khaled Abdu.
Nasser Nuru fears that members of this group will now come to Skellefteå.
"I've seen calls on social media. I'm certain it's going to become violent," he says.
Nuru has been in contact with the police and Skellefteå municipality to forewarn them. He also applied to organize a peaceful counter-demonstration outside Sörböle School on Saturday. However, on Wednesday, he was informed that his application had been rejected by the police due to the risk of confrontations between groups.
– If the counter-demonstration is not allowed to take place, there will be no opportunity for us peaceful activists to speak with and calm these violent youths. An organized, peaceful counter-demonstration would ensure police presence, which will be needed," he says.
Leisure manager Hans Pettersson says that the municipality will do a background check on the association before the weekend.
On Wednesday, the municipality held an emergency meeting to discuss the issue. Hans Pettersson, the leisure director, says that the municipality will run a background check on the association before the weekend. No decision has been made yet.
–This association has booked parties before. We've never had any problems with them, and we've never received any indications that there might be something amiss, he explains.
Eritrea is known for its dictatorship. You surely require those renting from you to have a democratic foundation, don't you?
– In a society, one must certainly be democratic. It's not really my place to judge whether this association is democratic or not, but they are, at least, registered in the municipality's association register."
Mogos Solomon is the chairman of the Eri-United association organizing the concert. He says that the critics are wrong and that falsehoods about the party have been spread on social media.
–This is a party that we host every year on our Independence Day. We dance, eat, laugh, and socialize. That's all there is to it, he states.
What do you say to the criticism directed at you?
– There are people spreading lies and hate on social media. For some reason, they don't want us to have the party in Skellefteå, and I don't know why. But it is our right and duty to respect our country and our independence, and no one can prevent us from doing that.
Norran has reached out to the Eritrean Embassy in Stockholm and local police area chief Lars Westermark for a comment.