Eritrea Must Seize the Moment: Political and Economic Reform After the Lifting of Sanctions Now that the sanctions on Eritrea have been lifted, the country should look inward and pursue serious political and economic reforms. These reforms are needed to improve living standards, create a more stable future, and help reconcile a population that has grown more polarized in recent years. Political Reforms: The most important political step is to implement the 1997 Constitution. The government originally planned to put it into force that year. A constitution is essential for the rule of law, the protection of citizens, and the guarantee of basic rights and freedoms. Without one, there is no reliable legal order and no consistent standard of justice. The border war interrupted that plan. In 2014 and 2016, President Isaias Afwerki publicly addressed the constitution and indicated a willingness to implement it. A decade later, however, that commitment has not been fulfilled. Eritrea should also release prisoners who have been held without a fair trial.