Swedish Foreign Minister's Historic Visit to Eritrea Focuses on Dawit Isaak and Regional Stability

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard made a landmark visit to Eritrea, marking the first time a Swedish minister has set foot in the country since journalist Dawit Isaak's imprisonment in 2001. Isaak, a Swedish-Eritrean journalist, has been held without trial for over two decades, drawing international attention to Eritrea's human rights record.

Malmer Stenergard's visit included a meeting with Eritrean Foreign Minister Osman Saleh and focused on both Isaak's case and broader regional issues, including the conflict in Sudan. The Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson confirmed that Isaak was a topic of discussion during her trip, signaling the high-level diplomatic attention the case continues to receive.

Isaak's daughter, Betlehem Isaak, described the minister's visit as "unique" and expressed optimism about potential progress, noting recent positive developments such as the release of other prisoners in Eritrea. She praised the minister's proactive approach, contrasting it with previous Swedish ministers who had not responded to her family's appeals.

Malmer Stenergard’s visit is seen as a significant step toward strengthening relations between Sweden and Eritrea and advancing dialogue on human rights and regional stability. While the specifics of the discussions were not publicly disclosed, the engagement holds hope for future breakthroughs concerning Dawit Isaak's freedom and broader reconciliation efforts in the Horn of Africa region.