This so-called “diaspora tax” was imposed on Eritreans across the globe for the first time in the 1990s, soon after Eritrea’s independence from Ethiopia. Back then, most Eritreans abroad welcomed this new levy as an opportunity to contribute to the rebuilding of a country devastated by 30 years of conflict and to help the veterans of the liberation wars.
Diaspora Tax
- Thread starter Hilmaam
- Start date
The widespread understanding was that this would be a temporary arrangement and the tax would either be completely lifted or its scope and purpose better defined in law, once the parliament became fully functional and the economy stabilised. But that turning point was never reached. As the Eritrean parliament has not convened since 1997, the tax simply stayed in place, becoming one of the main sources of revenue of the regime.
Today, the diaspora tax continues to be collected by Eritrean consular offices around the world. Understandably, the Eritrean diaspora is not eager to pay a legally dubious tax that provides no benefit to themselves or their loved ones back home, but serves to keep a brutal and grossly incompetent government afloat.
So the Eritrean regime gives its embassies around the world free reign to use questionable tactics to collect the two percent income tax. Eritrean consulates demand proof of diaspora tax payment to provide even the most basic consular services. They refuse to issue ID cards or any other legal documents until the tax is paid. Citizens who do not pay cannot sell their properties in Eritrea or go home to visit their relatives. People who have never paid the tax can also face demands for massive back payments whenever they need any services from the Eritrean government.
www.aljazeera.com
Eritrea’s ‘diaspora tax’ is funding violence and oppression
Eritreans settled abroad should not be forced to pay an illegal tax that helps keep President Afwerki’s regime afloat.
Who we going to give the money too? a corrupt leader so he can build a house lol. First discuss creating a system that ensures no corruption can happen.
The only people I would trust to an extent in Somalia are religious organisations, but all these Western institution originally were built by the church, sadly anytime a religious organisation happens in Muslim country, the west stumps it out.
We have very bad cultural issues, when a small time theif steals something in the market, they all 'yell tuug' but if u steal millions while wearing a suit and being a govt u actually get called a 'geesi tolkisa' wax uu soo kordhiye kkkkk, untill that type of culture exist, it cannot produce good leaders. A leader cant change the culture, the culture itself has to change from bottom up not TOP DOWN. The shacab have to realize as long as u allow those vermins to exist, you yourself will never see progress, HIS BLOCKING IT FOR U becuz noone will trust handing him money.
They used to be trusted now not so much anymore. Plus a-lot of the insecurity happening with shabab is with areas they were supposed to manage and keep clean, hawshooda kama soo bixin. U cant compare nidaam, registration, licensing, mosque pre-written khutbahs of UAE to that shit fest in Somalia. They brought their fowdo to the last place ppl trusted, the mosque. PPL cant even pray safely.
Sadly it's built into our society, those who raid and steal were the winners, as much as I didn't want to see a Somali Iran, a few decades of the Islamic courts would of done wonders for the country.
@NidarNidar they learned all this corruption from the colonial era.
I doubt that either way shit always floats up to the top in politics in democracy, the snake will slither it's way up the ladder, and anyone that gets in its way is assassinated.
GaradShabeel
VIP
Don’t give the government any ideas on how to extort us. We left the country for a reason
Somalia being corrupt would mean that most of it would end up being squandered or looted. I would’ve understood more of it was a local initiative and every deegaan would create their own. Easier for transparency and holding people accountable.
Also, many of the diaspora don’t have a Somali citizenship. Even if the did and Somalia would start taxing foreign residents, quite a few would renounce their nationality as they would not see any benefit in retaining it in exchange for what they would get in return. Only two countries practice this in the world after all.
Another facor, Eritrea is an authoritarian state and have control of all of its borders. Meaning that they have greater capabilities to enforces these taxes and punish those who don’t abide. Even threatening Eritreans aboard directly or indirectly through their relatives back home.
the difference between Eritrea is they use the tax to pay army,build new schools,the somali government would use it for apartments in Nairobi
FGS is 0/4 everyone saying this is bad idea so far and 0 trust in govt. unfortunate but agree feel same for FMS
when they first started this in Eritrea everyone was excited to pay tax and join up due to being patriotic for newly formed nation. I think Eritrea leader steals good chunk of money and country poor but a lot of it also due to west sanctions . At Least it’s safe
when they first started this in Eritrea everyone was excited to pay tax and join up due to being patriotic for newly formed nation. I think Eritrea leader steals good chunk of money and country poor but a lot of it also due to west sanctions . At Least it’s safe
dekiteshim
Resident Eritrean | Ye's strongest soldier
You can definitely go back home/get an ID card without paying. The embassies/consulates themselves aren't actually allowed to take payment. They give you an invoice and you pay it at the immigration office in Asmara.So the Eritrean regime gives its embassies around the world free reign to use questionable tactics to collect the two percent income tax. Eritrean consulates demand proof of diaspora tax payment to provide even the most basic consular services. They refuse to issue ID cards or any other legal documents until the tax is paid. Citizens who do not pay cannot sell their properties in Eritrea or go home to visit their relatives. People who have never paid the tax can also face demands for massive back payments whenever they need any services from the Eritrean government.
Eritrea’s ‘diaspora tax’ is funding violence and oppression
Eritreans settled abroad should not be forced to pay an illegal tax that helps keep President Afwerki’s regime afloat.
GaradShabeel
VIP
How do they know the amount of tax due? Do you have to provide documentation of your annual salary or do they find out on their own?
Abdisamad
VIP
FGS is too corrupt sxb.. I don't mind paying some tax to support Somalia but as it is now the money would just end up in the pockets of some obscure corrupt politicians.
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dekiteshim
Resident Eritrean | Ye's strongest soldier
They'll ask for your payslips for X amount of years (since the last time you paid) and then they'll calculate it. You'll then get a stamped invoice with this amount that you take with you to Eritrea (it's been illegal for the embassies/consulates to take remittances for a while)
Abdisamad
VIP
Thats messed up bro.. If I was an Eritrean diaspora I would be pissed off.. Might even jump the ak47
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