The “Fourth Front” is a term the Eritrean regime has used for some time. It has used it to differentiate the Eritrean diaspora from three economic zones inside the country.

The government of Eritrea has recently grouped all developmental activities within the country onto four latitudinal economic zones or (fronts), in order to “promote effective and flexible developmental tools for improved outcomes” as detailed by one of the country’s top policy architects. The eastern and coastal part of the country, including water reservoirs (dams) like Gahtelai are included on the first economic zone, while the multiple dams and mining sites in the central part of the country are included on the second Economic Zone.  The third economic zone integrates multiple developmental packages and resources in the western part of the country. In much similar case, Nationals living outside the country are categorized as the fourth economic front considering their utmost national essence, and their professional and financial potentials.

https://eriyouth.org/2020/01/the-genesis-of-4th-front-the-national-essence-of-eritreas-diaspora/

The “Fourth Front” has been used to mobilise Eritreans who are living outside of the country – many of whom fled to escape “National Service” – or indefinite conscription.

A youth movement was announced a year ago. It brings together Eritreans aged 18 – 40 and was launched at a meeting from across Europe and the United States.

The “Eritrean Youth of the Fourth Front” had their first official meeting on January 26th, 2023. The Individuals who attended were nationals from counties, such as the US, Germany, Sweden, UK, and Canada. Since this was the group’s first meeting the majority of the meet was spent getting to know each other.

https://eriyouth.org/2023/03/eritrean-youth-of-the-fourth-front/

Fourth Front tasks for 2024

These have now been spelled out in some detail.

Fourth Front in 2024- Strengthening the fight, strengthening the ranks

 The Eritrean abroad is a great treasure of the country.  His contribution to his people and country, from the forties of the last century to the present, for more than 80 years, has been continuous, high and, with few exceptions, incomparable.

 The Eritrean government considers it one of the main pillars of the country and has dubbed it the ‘Fourth Front.’

The strength of the Eritrean people abroad as at home, is their deep identity, sharp patriotism, unwavering commitment, high consciousness, and tight organization.  These characteristics have been developed and tested over the course of three consecutive generations.

The strength and contribution of the Eritrean Diaspora, the party, the government and the people of Eritrea is not only recognized, but also well known by the enemies and adversaries and those who are agents of various origins, whether consciously or unconsciously.

 The country and the people respect this great source of Eritrean strength, and the enemies and their agents fear it.  They cultivate the country and the people, they conspire to weaken and disperse the evil intentions and actions, they invest all their strength.

 This struggle has gone through many stages in many forms, and there were times when the enemies sometimes thought they had succeeded and celebrated in a hurry, but by dawn they were left with water.

 The Fourth Front fought long and noisy, confusing and violent, and came out strong at every stage:

Today, this old-new struggle continues, with seemingly new old plans and tactics of opposition and struggle against them.  Our enemies and adversaries are confused that their plan, which they have lightly described as ‘regime-change’ for which they have worked in vain for decades, but in fact aims to bring Eritrea to its knees, can be achieved from outside.

The masterminds of this conspiracy are the opposing governments and their main institutions. There are international and regional organizations, ‘’research’’ institutions, the media, associations christened ‘human rights defenders,’ lobby companies that play a major role in its implementation. 

There are also notorious foreigners who are hired.  Below, they are agents who soon gather and disperse, compete and overlap, working to intimidate our people, create a rift within them, and weaken their depth through various programs and open violence.

 Our people abroad – the Fourth Front – are fighting all of these.  His struggle, however, is largely proactive, not reactive.  Its objectives are as follows:

 Strengthening national identity and national consciousness

 * Inherit and transfer our languages, cultures and values;

 * To make our history, especially the freedom struggle for which generations fought and sacrificed, and the successful struggle for freedom and sovereignty that created an independent Eritrea, the common knowledge and heritage of all Eritreans;

 *Contribute to strengthening our national institutions – the People’s Front that brought and preserved independence, the fighting, productive and constructive defense forces that were built in the liberation struggle and defended the country efficiently, the independent National Government of Eritrea;

 *Ensure that our national symbols – flag , national anthem, historical dates and holidays- are respected and illuminated;

 *Ensure that our people living abroad are successful in education, career, economy, social life, their place and role in the country where they live.

This has been the norm for all Eritrean communities abroad.  Eritreans are known for their nobility, respect for law and order, living in harmony with each other and with the citizens of the countries in which they live, and for raising their children with Eritrean identity and values.  This great heritage needs to be preserved and strengthened.

 Enhancing holistic contribution to nation building,

 As mentioned earlier, the contribution of Eritreans living abroad has been huge and effective in all past forums.

 Today, the Eritrean Diaspora, with its widespread, numerous, professional and economic potential, has considerable influence in the countries where it resides.

 Accordingly, we need to work hard to ensure that his role and contribution to his family, people and country is equal to his quantity and capacity.

For the Eritrean Diaspora to move from strength to strength, it is crucial to strengthen the unity of Eritreans, deepen their awareness, expand their participation, enhance their professional and economic capacity, and strengthen their organization. 

Although the Eritrean Committee has been known for its strong and effective organization in history, it is naturally expected that it will have weaknesses.

 Identifying and curing weaknesses has been an important part of our organizations’ journey.

More than in previous stages, it requires greater attention today, when the capacity of the people and the responsibilities they bear have increased.

We must ensure that our programs and organizations provide efficient services in line with the aspirations and demands of our people.  We need to keep our tried and tested and successful approach evolving with the new stage and characteristics of the information age and technology.

At the same time, we must not allow enemies, adversaries and spies whose previous attempts have failed to change their cover and slip into our ranks to divide our people and weaken their organization and contribution.

The main thing is, the obvious.  Studying the rest.  Winning the initiative.  Continually improving the service we provide to our people.  Qualitative developments in our political, economic, social, cultural, news and diplomatic programs.  Expand our organization and increase its effectiveness.

Fourth Front militaristic campaigns

These have described in detail in the past.

Update: Fourth Front ‘Revenge demonstration’ calls on Eritreans across Europe to join Netherlands demonstration

A pro-Eritrean government group referring to the ‘Fourth Front’ or 4G has announced a demonstration with military character in the Netherlands on 16 October to “take revenge and be compensated for our disrupted festivals,” as announced in a message on Facebook. A poster circulating on social media states the location as The Hague, but the organisers call on Eritreans across Europe to join. A full translation of the message to announce the action has been included below.

Translation of the invitation
Good news for our victory!
On 16-10-2023, a peaceful demonstration is planned in the Netherlands. It is a change to move from theory to action and all of Europe needs to participate: Forza, Savoya Fourth Front. We need to take revenge and be compensated for our disrupted festivals. No-one can stay home. If EPLF Mendelay (Eri-Mekhete heroes) attacks and paralyses the waslata-TPLF, they will be useless. The Fourth Front, to fulfill its role in a grand manner, will enjoy its victory without a doubt!

Terms used: The ‘snake‘ versus the ‘liar’
In the invitation, pro-democracy Eritreans that have been opposing the festivals by pro-government Eritreans are called waslata-TPLF [Tigray People’s Liberation Front]. This translates to TPLF-liars. The TPLF is the party which ruled the Tigray region in Ethiopia at the time of the Tigray war, in which Eritrean forces, alongside Ethiopian forces, committed widespread human rights violations when they invaded Tigray. The invitation therefore compares Eritreans with Tigrayans, while also painting all Tigray people as liars, and suggesting that Tigrayans have been the ones disrupting festivals.

On the other hand, the invitation calls back on Eritrean history by referring to the pro-government Eritrean forces as ‘EPLF [Eritrean People’s Liberation Front] Mendelay’. The EPLF was the name of the current Eritrean government party, People’s Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), during the independence war with Ethiopa. ‘Mendelay’ is a poisonous snake – the Eritrean army refers to itself as ‘Mendelay’.

Concerns from the diaspora
Eritrean refugees and diaspora members fear that this demonstration in fact refers to a military action, and that it means the opening of the ‘fourth front’ in the Netherlands, which they fear could lead to threats or worse. In Israel, where the ‘fourth front’ first become well-known, two Eritreans have died so far in attacks by Eritrean regime supporters.

The Fourth Front
Pro-government Eritreans refer to the diaspora’s role in the “fight of Eritrea’s development” as the fourth front, abbreviated as 4G. The Eritrean Ministry of Information called the Fourth Front the “pride of the country”. They state that “Eritreans living abroad have a culture of reacting quickly to opposition against their people and government” and that by instilling political awareness in the masses, it has become a powerful force. Pro-democracy Eritreans have increasingly linked references to 4G to violent movements and militia, including Eri-Blood, Eri-Mekhete and Eri-Hadelibi. Pro-government Eritreans referring to 4G have now announced a demonstration in the Netherlands on 16 October, most likely taking place in The Hague, in which pro-democracy Eritreans fear violence might be used.

The invitation to the event states that the demonstration is a chance to move “from theory to action” and calls upon pro-government Eritreans all over Europe to participate. The invitation states that “If EPLF Mendelay (heroes of Eri-Mekhete) attack the liars of the TPLF [Tigray People’s Liberation Front] and paralyses them, they will be useless.” It goes on to announce that the Fourth Front will be victorious. The message accuses Eritrean protesters of being Tigrayans, and accuses Tigrayans of being liars.

Attacks on Eritreans in Israel and Ethiopia
In Israel, particularly in Tel Aviv, groups associated to 4G have already been accused of killing two people. After over 150 people were injured during clashes at a pro-government festival in the beginning of September, the violence has continued. Following the events, videos and pictures spread of members of the Eri-Mekhete militia carrying guns and participating in training in preparation for violence. On 30 September, an Eritrean man was stabbed to death and around a dozen others were injured in an attack reportedly committed by pro-government Eritreans. In separate attacks, another Eritrean in Tel Aviv was killed, and two other Eritreans hospitalised.

In addition, it is reported that at least one Eritrean was killed after being beheaded in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, while another Eritrean was stabbed, states Asenna TV. It is reported that the brutal attack is suspected to have been committed pro-government Eritreans. Images and videos from other places, such as Denver, United States, also appear to show pro-government Eritreans bringing guns to protests.

Letter to the mayor
Now pro-democracy diaspora members fear that violence and militia activity propagated through the ‘fourth front’ could spread and lead to further violence against Eritreans abroad. The Eritrean diaspora organisation Organization for Eritrean Human Rights Defenders have written to Dutch authorities asking for the demonstration announced for 16 October to be cancelled, warning that it is in fact part of a military action organised from Eritrea, and that the event incites violence.