Why did Eritrean guerrilla forces gain recruits during the war for independence?

Eritrean guerrilla forces, such as the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF), gained recruits throughout the war for independence due to a combination of political, economic, and social factors driven by Ethiopian rule.

Key drivers for recruitment included:

• Indiscriminate Oppression: The violence of the war and the Ethiopian government's use of indiscriminate force against the population turned many Eritreans against the regime, creating a steady stream of young volunteers for the nationalist movement.1
• Political Suppression: The abolition of Eritrea’s autonomous status in 1962, the suppression of political parties, and the banning of the Tigrinya language in schools alienated the population, including Christian students who became increasingly radicalized.234
• Economic Stagnation: Following the decline of the local economy after World War II, many Eritreans faced unemployment and were forced to emigrate. The suppression of trade unions further embittered workers, leading both Muslims and Christians to rally to the nationalist cause.3
• Government Failure: The Ethiopian government’s inability to implement social or economic programs meant that force became its primary tool of control, which ultimately failed to win the allegiance of the people.4