National Security Office (Eritrea)

The National Security Office (NSO) is the primary intelligence agency of Eritrea. Its mandate encompasses both internal and external security threats, including counter-terrorism, counter-espionage, and the monitoring of dissent. The NSO operates under the direct control of the President of Eritrea, and its activities are largely opaque to the public.

While details about its organizational structure and specific operational procedures are scarce due to the agency's secretive nature, it is understood to have a wide network of informants and operates both overtly and covertly. Its surveillance activities are extensive, reportedly including monitoring communications and tracking the movements of individuals perceived as threats to the Eritrean government.

The NSO has been implicated in numerous human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, detentions without trial, torture, and enforced disappearances. These allegations stem from reports by international human rights organizations and testimonies from Eritrean refugees and dissidents. The agency's broad mandate and lack of independent oversight contribute to concerns regarding accountability and the potential for abuse of power. The Eritrean government has consistently denied these allegations, maintaining that the NSO operates within the bounds of the law and is necessary to protect national security.