1991 – Eritrean Independence Referendum Campaign Launched

On May 22, 1991, the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) captured Asmara, effectively ending Ethiopia’s control over the region and launching the independence referendum campaign. This marked a turning point in Eritrea’s 30-year war for sovereignty—the longest African independence struggle. The May 22 victory laid the groundwork for Eritrea\’s 1993 referendum and eventual recognition as an independent state. For Black international history, it stands as a powerful case of armed liberation, self-reliance, and post-colonial nation-building. Eritrea’s defiance of both Ethiopian imperialism and Cold War geopolitics illustrates the complex dynamics of African resistance. May 22 should be remembered as a day when decades of grassroots struggle culminated in political victory. While Eritrea faces ongoing human rights challenges today, its May 22 legacy endures as a profound statement of African self-determination and geopolitical significance in the Horn of Africa.