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The Burden of Exile: A Banned Journalist's Flight from Dictatorship
In the strict dictatorship of Eritrea, a young reporter co-founds the first independent newspaper, publishes stories that anger the president, and has to escape to save his life and his loved ones.
An idealistic journalist with a young family starts the first independent newspaper in the notorious police state of Eritrea — one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. When the paper is shut down, he flees arrest and begins a dangerous journey to freedom, first across a desert, at night, into Sudan, pursued by Eritrean secret police, then into secret safe houses in Kenya. With the help of the United Nations, he finds sanctuary in Canada — a place he knows nothing about. Meanwhile his wife and young children are stuck back home, in constant danger of reprisal.
A true story of bravery amid complicated international geopolitics, of spies and guns and betrayal, and — ultimately — of triumph, and the piecing together of family in a cold new country.
An idealistic journalist with a young family starts the first independent newspaper in the notorious police state of Eritrea — one of the most brutal dictatorships in the world. When the paper is shut down, he flees arrest and begins a dangerous journey to freedom, first across a desert, at night, into Sudan, pursued by Eritrean secret police, then into secret safe houses in Kenya. With the help of the United Nations, he finds sanctuary in Canada — a place he knows nothing about. Meanwhile his wife and young children are stuck back home, in constant danger of reprisal.
A true story of bravery amid complicated international geopolitics, of spies and guns and betrayal, and — ultimately — of triumph, and the piecing together of family in a cold new country.
288 pages, Paperback
Published November 8, 2022
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 15, 2024
4.25 stars
February 1, 2023
The true story of a brave journalist who, despite facing innumerable challenges along his journey, kept pursuing his right to free speech.
Aaron Berhane grew up in Eritrea, an East African country that has a one-party legislative system and has been repeatedly criticized by the United Nations for its multiple Human Rights violations. It was in this hostile political environment of Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, that Berhane co-founded Setit, the first independent newspaper in the country.
Despite the staunch opposition, he kept on printing stories, news, and the uncensored opinion of the public about their brutal dictator until the government cracked down hard on all forms of dissent and began arresting journalists which led to Berhane having to flee the country in haste leaving behind his wife and three young children. He crossed into Sudan on foot while being chased by armed border guards and somehow made it to Khartoum and then Nairobi, arranging and paying bribes every step to ensure safe passage until he ultimately sought help from UNHCR and was able to gain asylum in Regina, Canada.
Documenting the struggles he faced as a refugee with limited English-speaking skills alone in a foreign country, this story is a testament to the life of an uncompromising journalist who persisted despite the seemingly insurmountable odds.
The story is quite easy-to-read and written in a very casual tone, which sometimes does not exactly convey the seriousness of Berhane's situation.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting read and thanks to @dundurnpress for providing me with an ARC.
Aaron Berhane grew up in Eritrea, an East African country that has a one-party legislative system and has been repeatedly criticized by the United Nations for its multiple Human Rights violations. It was in this hostile political environment of Asmara, the capital city of Eritrea, that Berhane co-founded Setit, the first independent newspaper in the country.
Despite the staunch opposition, he kept on printing stories, news, and the uncensored opinion of the public about their brutal dictator until the government cracked down hard on all forms of dissent and began arresting journalists which led to Berhane having to flee the country in haste leaving behind his wife and three young children. He crossed into Sudan on foot while being chased by armed border guards and somehow made it to Khartoum and then Nairobi, arranging and paying bribes every step to ensure safe passage until he ultimately sought help from UNHCR and was able to gain asylum in Regina, Canada.
Documenting the struggles he faced as a refugee with limited English-speaking skills alone in a foreign country, this story is a testament to the life of an uncompromising journalist who persisted despite the seemingly insurmountable odds.
The story is quite easy-to-read and written in a very casual tone, which sometimes does not exactly convey the seriousness of Berhane's situation.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
An interesting read and thanks to @dundurnpress for providing me with an ARC.
February 3, 2023
This title has a lot of similarities to The Naked Don’t Fear the Water by Matthieu Aikins. In this case, it is the story of the flight - with the assistance of smugglers - of an Eritrean journalist… his eventual arrival in Canada, the community he finds to support him here, and his reunification with his family.
This is a very moving work. It really lays bare - in a raw and visceral way - the legacy of colonialism in Ethiopia and Eritrea - indeed that entire region of Africa. It tells a very similar story to that which we are - I think - fairly familiar with in the case of, say, Afghanistan or Iraq… the devastation left behind after imperial/foreign powers attempt to intervene… and the abuses of power as those who fought the ‘regime’ fight to fill the power vacuum, becoming as despotic as those they sought to remove in the first instance, seeking to silence and end all criticism.
And the ending well… it packs a punch also, and brought tears to my eyes. There was a moment early on where I made a note to myself, wondering… but then I got caught up in the memoir and didn’t give it another thought… until it smacked me in the face!
An important contribution… and a testament to the bravery of journalists around the world.
This is a very moving work. It really lays bare - in a raw and visceral way - the legacy of colonialism in Ethiopia and Eritrea - indeed that entire region of Africa. It tells a very similar story to that which we are - I think - fairly familiar with in the case of, say, Afghanistan or Iraq… the devastation left behind after imperial/foreign powers attempt to intervene… and the abuses of power as those who fought the ‘regime’ fight to fill the power vacuum, becoming as despotic as those they sought to remove in the first instance, seeking to silence and end all criticism.
And the ending well… it packs a punch also, and brought tears to my eyes. There was a moment early on where I made a note to myself, wondering… but then I got caught up in the memoir and didn’t give it another thought… until it smacked me in the face!
An important contribution… and a testament to the bravery of journalists around the world.
December 31, 2023
What an inspiring and heartbreaking story of an Eritrean-Canadian journalist fighting for his rights and those of his fellow citizens. This reminds me of reasons why I choose to work in the settlement sector here in Canada. Audiobook read by his son (which makes me tear up).
February 8, 2024
This book was fascinating. It was well written and straightforward. I knew little about Eritrea so learned a lot but I was also very interested to read about the author’s experience as an immigrant to Canada. The ending was tragically unfair and I hope his family finds peace here in Canada.
March 17, 2024
An Evergreen Award (Ontario Library Association Forest of Reading Program) nominee for this year it tells the story of a journalist living under a dictatorship where journalists are among the persecuted. An interesting read, such conviction and courage this man had!
June 12, 2023
not as well written as i would've liked but a very interesting story
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April 24, 2024It's hard to critique someone's life story, especially with such an emotional and sad ending. I'm glad I listened to it, well written and read. *audiobook
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews