Editor’s Note: At Setit, we’re committed to amplifying important voices and narratives that deepen our understanding of Eritrea’s history and its lasting impact. The following article by Andargachew Tsege shines a spotlight on “An African People’s Quest for Freedom and Justice: A Political History of Eritrea 1941–1962” by Alemseged Tesfai.An African People’s Quest for Freedom and Justice: A Political History of Eritrea 1941–1962” by Alemseged Tesfai. This isn’t our work, but it’s a powerful reflection on a crucial era that continues to shape the present. We believe it’s a conversation worth having—and a book worth reading.
This is a meticulously researched political history, offering fresh interpretations of well-known facts alongside a wealth of new insights. Written with exceptional intellectual and academic integrity, it is a beautifully crafted book—engaging, accessible, and narrated with a gripping flow that draws the reader in.
When I began reading, I had initially contemplated writing a thorough review of this brilliant work. Unfortunately, due to time constraints that would force me to rush, I am convinced I would not do justice to either the book or the author. Thus, I have chosen instead to offer a heartfelt recommendation.
This is a book that deserves to be accessible to a wider audience. The privilege of reading it should not be confined to a select few within academic circles. Anyone with a genuine interest in understanding the history of Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the Horn of Africa between 1941 and 1962 must read this book. This period, the most consequential in Eritrean history, left tragic and lasting repercussions for the people of Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the region beyond. Indirectly, the book offers insight into the tragic state of affairs that persists in the Horn of Africa today. It reveals how the hidden, destructive hand of history, through the actions of the superpowers of the time and the shortsightedness of Ethiopian rulers, contributed to the collective misfortune of both Eritreans and Ethiopians.
Of course, like all works of history, absolute objectivity is impossible. The very act of selecting facts from a vast sea of information presents an inherent challenge to any historian. I do not believe Alemseged is entirely free from subjectivity, and from that angle, one might find grounds to critique aspects of his work.
Nevertheless, what is most remarkable is that Alemseged—himself a former freedom fighter in the Eritrean struggle for independence—has written a book untainted by emotional bias or propagandist narrative. There is not an ounce of propaganda or cadre-style rhetoric in this work. It is a book constructed with facts, logic, and reason.
It is worth noting that Alemseged Tesfai was already a well-educated intellectual, before joining the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front in 1975.
The book offers profound and multifaceted insights into the complex history of Eritrea, Ethiopia, and the global geopolitics of the time. Perhaps its most significant contribution is Alemseged’s research-based assertion of the primacy of Eritrean national identity before the United Nations decided to join Eritrea with Ethiopia through a strange federal arrangement —a reality denied by those who determined Eritrea’s destiny, contrary to the widely accepted views of many outsiders, including Ethiopian historians.
I am aware that the politically charged and toxic climate of our region often discourages open conversations about the truth. However, I believe that more than any other book I have read on the complicated history of Eritrea and Ethiopia, “An African People’s Quest for Freedom and Justice” is packed with truth.
As we all know, truth has the power to liberate us, and I am confident that reading this book will awaken those of us who have been living with our own biases and prejudices about that shared chapter of our history. Both Ethiopians and Eritreans are the intended beneficiaries of this book’s liberating message.
I had the privilege of attending the book launch held at the Eritrean Embassy in London, where I also had the opportunity to speak with the author. Alemseged Tesfai has planned a worldwide tour to promote his book across the globe. He will soon be travelling to the United States—keep an eye out for an event in your area. The book is now available on Amazon.
By Andargachew Tsege @AndargachewTse2
