The Eritrean Coup Attempt Comes to a Close

A coup attempt that began in the Eritrean capital of Asmara on Jan. 21 has failed as mutineering troops, who had laid seige to the Ministry of Information building, set hostages free and returned to their base in Qushet, outside the capital, overnight. Although the attempt appears to have been poorly organized and was dealt with swiftly by troops loyal to President Isayas Afewerki, the incident does highlight the increasing cracks within the regime's power base.