President Issayas Aferwerki defies most of the stereotypes about political leaders in Africa. He regularly drives a Toyota Corolla through the streets of Asmara, Eritrea's capital, stopping at a pavement café for an espresso and a heavyweight political argument. A tall, slender, serious-looking man with intense eyes, Issayas has the demeanour of a youthful university don rather than a guerrilla leader turned civilian president.
Abjuring presidential pomp and ceremony and bodyguards in dark glasses, Issayas moves around his country much as he did when he was an obscure guerrilla commander. His politesse and soft-spoken delivery belie a steely determination.
Issayas, Ethiopian president Meles Zenawi and Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni are regarded by many in Africa and the west as an advance guard for a political and economic renaissance on the continent. The three share a clear understanding of changing world economic conditions, a comprehensive development strategy for their countries and a fierce independence of spirit.
Issayas's political and economic ideas were forged in Eritrea's 30-year armed struggle for independence from Ethiopia, achieved seven years ago this month. It was Africa's longest war and one of its toughest: the Eritrean People's Liberation Front had almost no resources other than what it could draw from expatriate Eritreans around the globe.