Eritrean Islamic Jihad, also referred to as the Eritrean Islamic Salvation Movement (known by its acronym as EISM or ERIJ) is an Eritrean Islamist organization and one of several opposition groups that operates in Eritrea and from surrounding countries.

Goals and objectives

The primary goal of the ERIJ is to spread the Islamic ideology and the rule by Islamic law -Sharia and overthrow of the Eritrean government of President Isaias Afewerki, and his ruling People's Front for Democracy and Justice (PFDJ), formerly referred to as the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF). The PFDJ is the only legally permitted political party in Eritrea. ERIJ also seeks the establishment of an Islamic Government in Eritrea with an eye toward establishing a caliphate in the Horn of Africa. In September 1998, an opposition congress was held in Khartoum, Sudan. At that time, the Eritrean opposition group Harakat al Jihad al Islami (Eritrean Islamic Jihad Movement-ERIJ) reportedly changed its name to Harakat al Khalas al Islami al Eritrea (Eritrean Islamic Salvation Movement).

Leadership

Shaikh Khalil Mohammed Amer is the putative leader of ERIJ. ERIJ's Deputy Emir is Abul Bara' Hassan Salman.

Foreign support

Sudanese authorities have signaled their official support of the movement when they allowed the ERIJ's Secretary-General Sheikh Khalil Mohammed Amer to hold a news conference in Khartoum.

History of attacks