Born in 1946 in Asmara, Isaias Afeworki joined the Eritrean Liberation Front (ELF) in 1966. He received military training in China the same year, later passing to hold the post of assistant division commander. In 1970 he co-founded the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) and in 1987 was elected the organisation's general secretary.

After the referendum that gave his country independence in 1993, Afeworki took on the position of President of Eritrea, which had already separated from Ethiopia. He transformed the EPLF into the Popular Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ). The border fights between both countries became one of his main concerns and political activity.

Sources:

Centro de Estudios Internacionales de Barcelona

BBC News