Elected republic in the region East Africa, primarily? (7)

I believe the answer is:

eritrea

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'elected republic in the region east africa primarily?' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'elected republic in the region east africa primarily?' is the wordplay.
'primarily?' indicates taking the first letters (I've seen 'primarily' mean this).
The initial letters of 'elected republic in the region east africa' is 'ERITREA'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eritrea that I've seen before include "Country in the Horn of Africa" , "Red Sea country, capital Asmara" , "African country, capital Asmara" , "Country bordering the Red Sea" , "Eire art (anag)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Everyman puzzle in The Observer.

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