Whether we like it or not, the Issayas regime is going to sooner or later collapse under the weight of its own contradictions. The only question is when and the related question of whether by then it will be too late to salvage the nation. The sooner we get rid of the regime, the higher the chance of salvaging the nation. Once the regime is removed we can either overhaul the system and create a democratic one that embraces diversity or we will become a failed state. There really is no other option. The regime cannot be reformed. It can only be overthrown, and completely overhauled in which case we will have a fighting chance of sustaining the nation. A reformed version of the current regime will merely speed up our descent into a failed state.
Read more...
Last year, I celebrated my 30th year of living in the United States of America. I celebrated because the more I stay here in the U.S. the more I appreciate freedom, and the more I admire the founders of this country. When the forefathers of this country came up with the constitution more than two hundred years ago, I can only say they were inspired to come up with such a small document that was able to ultimately create a society that is free, people who are creative, and communities that are able to absorb multitude of individuals from around the world, and enable them to live in peace and harmony. (Okay-you critics: I am not naïve; the U.S. has its flaws and is far from perfect. In fact the constitution was written mostly for selective people at first). However, the wise men put amendments and after over 200 years it has achieved to become what it is now. But with all its flaws, I can honestly say, relative to other countries of the world this country is one of the best ones. I am content to live in this country and believe me; I celebrate my living here every day. I wish the leaders of Eritrea come to their senses and start to process the constitution that was drafted by the people of Eritrea in 1997. If they had started to implement the constitution in 1997, by now Eritreans would have accomplished plenty. Instead the Eritrean constitution is collecting dust, and I hope one day a change will come when Eritreans will be able to clean the dust off and start working for the will of the people.
Read more...
The majority of Eritrean web based press owners, resistance group media outlets and other publication journalists are men of good standing with utmost desire for betterment of Eritrea and Eritreans. But some times, and in some cases most of the times, they are participants in the act of censorship and knowingly or unknowingly contribute to the stifling of not only the free press and media, but to the very idea of freedom and democracy and liberty itself. Almost all opposition groups and resistance movements had enshrined the notion of freedom of expression in their charters, constitutions, principles, etc. But in practice there are problems and if the issue of censorship or self-censorship is not tackled at this stage, I am afraid it will be ingrained in our political culture and thinking and the role of the free press will be severely limited and curtailed in future democratic Eritrea. Freedom of the press doesn’t mean one has to agree with one’s idea or one has to conform to one political party’s agenda or philosophy. Freedom of expression doesn’t mean one’s writing has to please one webmaster’s tastes and feelings. Freedom of expression means the unalienable right to agree or disagree, to support or to oppose, to express your feeling with out fear or any kind of prejudice or harm.
Read more...
You will revisit this place and this mind, this recess of your mind, this far place in your memory again. It will happen again. You know it. It comes on its own. You do not summon it. It can be triggered by simply listening to music, music that is nostalgic. Music that is sad. Now, you can go back to your normal life. You are back. That fleeting moment is gone. But the memory will be back. The mourning is not finished. Another time, it will be there when you least expected it. It will be while you are asleep. The dead come in your dream. You are with them. You are happy meeting them and wonder where they have been. You are so happy to see them again. It is a longing, a missing and a wanting some continuity from the past, to continue your interrupted moment with them. You were not finished with them; you have so much to tell them. You want to see their faces, hear their voices. You are ready to embrace them and hug them and at that moment you wake up and you realize it was a dream. You just roll over and say your prayers and go back to sleep. You wish in your heart that scene in your dream was true. For a fleeting moment it was true. You were with them …
Read more...
My dear compatriots, we are faced with a critical challenge. Therefore, we in the Diaspora need to agree on the following:
- First, and foremost, we need a common plan of action.
- To that end, we need to go beyond factional and confessional divisions. We have to leave the divisions of the past behind and agree on an agenda for national salvation, what I have called Midhan Hagher.
- In pursuit of a common agenda, we need to support our emerging progressive websites that are doing a good job mobilizing our people and giving a sense of hope, hopes of change, especially to the rank and file of our defense forces.
- Civil society organizations, now unified under the umbrella of EGS (including CEDRiE), must be supported with ideas and money. That requires membership drive. In that regard, I like the slogan written on the Awate website logo: “Inform, Inspire, Embolden.” To that I would add two more slogans: a) “Look forward, not backward,” and b) “Don’t agonize, organize.” I borrowed this last slogan from the great Kwame Nkrumah.
- Civil society organizations and political parties must establish joint committees everywhere—wherever Eritreans live in large numbers. The task of such committees should preeminently include plans and programs to help newly arriving Eritreans. The help should include legal and logistical matters such as contacting immigration lawyers and finding housing and jobs and facilitating access to health and educational services. The joint committees should approach local civic and religious organizations to secure the necessary assistance. Above all, the joint committees should encourage the formation and growth of Eritrean communities dedicated to help their members and to maintain their culture especially geared toward the increasing number of children born in the Diaspora. The Communities should focus on cultural issues, free from factional politics.
- Last, but not least, the Opposition organizations should establish a coordinating committee to set the above recommendations in motion. It can be done. It must be done. And when the rank and file of our defense forces learn about all this they will redouble their efforts to continue their underground movement for democratic change. I urge the participants of this symposium to consider these proposals seriously; and if need be adopt binding resolutions to put them into effect.
