Mesfin Hagos

Mesfin Hagos (born 1947) is an Eritrean who was one of the founding members of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF).[2] In government, he was the Eritrean Minister of Defense during the 1990s.[3] After repression by president Isaias Afwerki against Mesfin's colleagues, Mesfin sought political asylum in Germany in 2013,[4] where he lived as of December 2020.[3]

This is an Eritrean name. The last name is a patronymic, not a family name; this person is referred to by the given name Mesfin.
Mesfin Hagos
2nd Minister of Defence
In office
1994–1995
Preceded byPetros Solomon
Succeeded bySebhat Ephrem
Personal details
Born (1947-11-21) November 21, 1947
Azien, British Military Administration (Eritrea)[1]
Political partyPFDJ

Childhood and education

Mesfin was born in Azien, Eritrea on 21 November 19, 1947.

Rebel fighter

Mesfin was a founding member of the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) in 1977. Before founding that organization, he had joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) in 1966 as an ordinary member. He eventually became Deputy Commander of ELF Zone 5.[2]

Mesfin Hagos left the ELF in 1970 with Isaias Afwerki, Major General Asmerom Gerezgiher, Solomon Weldemariam, and Tewelde Eyob. Hagos was a part of the founding leadership of the EPLF. Mesfin Hagos briefly served as the Chief of Staff in the EPLF. He was one of the commanders of the Battle of Af'abet that destroyed the backbone of the Ethiopian army.

Government

Mesfin served as the defence minister of Eritrea in the 1990s.[3]

Exile

Mesfin later started opposing Afwerki's dictatorial rule and, in 2013, sought asylum in Germany after his colleagues opposing the President were hunted down.[4] As of December 2020, Mesfin lived in Germany.[3]

References
  1. Killion, Tom (1998). Historical Dictionary of Eritrea. ISBN 0-8108-3437-5.
  2. Killion, Tom (1998). Historical Dictionary of Eritrea. ISBN 0-8108-3437-5.
  3. Hagos, Mesfin (2020-12-04). "Eritrea's Role in Ethiopia's Conflict and the Fate of Eritrean Refugees in Ethiopia". African Arguments. Archived from the original on 2021-02-07. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  4. Matthael, Karen (2013-12-09). "Resistance in exile: Eritrean freedom fighter Mesfin Hagos". Deutsche Welle. Retrieved 2020-12-13.
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