Hence, they had nothing to tell us despite our insistence on knowing the reasons for our detention and release. I may not give you accurate picture of the situation in Eritrea or the condition of the people there because I did not stay long enough. Despite that, however, the one thing that does not escape the eye is the fact that the country existed in a kind of permanent state of war. You see even the old carrying guns after being drafted as militiamen. But most of all, you notice the terror instilled in the psyche of the people through repressive and merciless methods the regime uses in dealing with ordinary citizens.
Nobody dares to whisper except after first looking right and left.
You get every one's free advice not to talk about politics because the ears of the government are ubiquitous and its hands are long enough to knock you out any moment. They tell you to run away and cross the border as soon as you are able to.