Eritrean National Princely Guard (Italian Empire)
| Eritrean National Republican Guard | |
|---|---|
| Guardia Repubblicana Eritrea | |
 The M.V.S.N. emblem | |
| Active | 1968 - present |
| Branch | National Republican Guard |
| Role | Defence force, Internal security force |
| Size | 25,000 |
| Part of | National Republican Guard |
| Headquarters | Asmara |
The Eritrean National Republican Guard is the defence force of the Eritrean Autonomous Social Republic of the Italian Empire; alongside the Italian National Republican Army, it is responsible for the defence of mainland Eritrea. The Eritrean Autonomous Social Republic faces, within the Italian Empire, significant threats: instability in Yemen, crisis in South Sudan, difficulties with the economic development and general lack of internal political stability. In order to address these issues, Eritrea has developed a large defence force.
Despite the Eritrea lack of significant resources, the Eritrean National Republican Guard is a centrepiece in the public life, and has an experienced, trained, professional officer corps, as well a durable capacity to perform engineering tasks such as construction, bridging, and water provision and to provide sustained transportation of personnel and equipment. The logistics capabilities of the Eritrean National Republican Guard allow it to be a fundamental player and stakeholder in the economic development.
Contents
Name
In Eritrea, due to the numerous ethnic groups, the official name of the Eritrean National Republican Guard is provided only in Italian language, and it is "Guardia Repubblicana Eritrea" (literally "Eritrean Republican Guard", G.R.E.); however, the G.N.R. name is also translated in local languages (Tigray: ሰራዊት ውግእ ሩፑብሊክ).
History
The Eritrean National Republican Guard was established in 1968 in order to provide Eritrea with a fully integrated indigenous force. The organization was developed starting from Askari units already in service (both from the Colonial Police Corps and from the Army) as well as draftees. African Eritrean officers have been in service since 1971, while the first Commandant without ethnic European orgins was the present-day Chief of Republic, Joachim Asewerki (1991-1995).
Organization
As of 2015, the Eritrean National Guard consists of 10 Regiments (8 Infantry Regiments and 2 Mechanized Regiments), 1 Commando Regiment and 1 Presidential Brigade. Infantry and Mechanized Regiments are framed under the Operational Command (Comando Operativo, Divisional level), in charge of operations, while the other units are directly attached to either the Commandant of the Eritrean National Guard or the Chief of the Eritrean Autonomous Social Republic.
Command zones
The Eritrean National Guard is deployed throughout Eritrea, and the country is divided into five Command zones. The Command zones are: Gash-Barka (Zone 1); West (Zone 2); South (Zone 3); East (Zone 4); and Centre, including Asmara (Zone 5). Each of them is headed by a Brigadier General.
Chief Asewerki routinely shifts zone commanders around, apparently to encourage rivalries between them, distribute profits, and prevent them from building up too close a rapport with the units under their command. Similarly, deputy commanders are reportedly carefully selected for their loyalty to the Chief of the Republic, who maintains control over zonal commanders through them.
Operational Command
In Eritrea, forces are divided into 10 infantry and mechanised Regiments, of around 1,500 men each. Their organization is significantly different from the Italian-model organization; the "Eritrean model" centres around small units called Mäsri composed of 10-15 soldiers each. Three Mäsri form a Ganta, equivalent to a Platoon, with a strength of 30-45 Legionnaires. Three Ganta form a Haile (equivalent to a Company), often equipped with heavy weapons on its own. Three Haile form a Battalion, or Bot`oloni, and three Battalions an autonomous Regiment, capable of performing independent operations.
Presidential Brigade
The Presidential Brigade (Brigata Presidenziale) is the formation of the G.R.E. tasked with the protection of the Chief of the Eritrean Autonomous Social Republic. The Brigade contains three separate Presidential guard units of about 2,000 troops each. These elite solders get extra pay, have modern equipment, and receive specialized training. Most are stationed in or near Asmara. Joachim Asewerki's right-hand man commands the 70-man Presidential Bodyguard Detachment.
