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An open letter to YPFDJ

As the titled above states, I am writing directly to the very sharp, bright and truly nationalist YPFDJ. Upon doing so, I feel it’s important to connect with you and ensure that you understand the

As the titled above states, I am writing directly to the very sharp, bright and truly nationalist YPFDJ. Upon doing so, I feel it’s important to connect with you and ensure that you understand the current situation of our country and I hope that your understanding of the current situation will enhance your nationalism and make you start to question not only about the motive of those in power in Asmara but also why so many Eritrean’s at this time are suffering, why there is shortage of almost everything in Eritrea, why parents are risking the lives of their children to leave Eritrea, why the once promising country is being labelled as ‘an open air giant prison’ and ‘the North Korea of Africa’…..the atrocities and suffering is clear indication that there is something wrong. So why not question it?

Before I go into any of the above, let me give you a little bit of a background about myself. I am not a member of YPFDJ and never have been. However, I am the product of the current regime that is in power now.

I was born in Sahel in the 1980s to Tegadelti parents and through out my early years, I have known nothing but the struggles that Eritreans faced in liberating our one and only Eritrea. I was and still am a nationalist and in and out Eritrean.

My loyalty to the government had no boundaries and when I finished my studies in late 1990’s, I went to Sawa to give back to the country that have given me everything….so in the midst of the war with Ethiopia in 1998-2000, I went to Sawa to carry out  my duties, and I did.

In my eyes, the government of Eritrea (PFDJ) were my parents, brothers, sisters and friends and they could do no wrong. I could not see anything wrong with them and I turned into a lioness if I hear someone disrespecting the ‘great IA’.

Now one may ask, what changed someone with that kind of dedication and devotion to become so bitter towards the regime that gave birth to you, that took care of you, that educated you, that instilled love about your country into every living cells in your body? It’s because I opened my eyes. I realised that the government that I idolised and thrived to be a part of was in fact a dictatorial regime that knows no boundary when it comes to clinging to the power that was bestowed upon them by the very people that they are betraying now.

These are our facts. No matter how many fancy articles are written by the supporters of the regime, the truth remains that there are still a large number of prisoners who have been locked up with out trial for over a decade now including ministers, generals and journalist. How does YPFDJ not question that?

There is still shortage of food, electricity, water, medicine for the general public in Eritrea. These are the necessity one needs in order to continue to live, how does YPFDJ not question this?

There is the national service real life saga that has a never-ending time limit and constricts every Eritrean youth of leading a normal life of marriage, kids, work and personal development. How does YPFDJ not question that?

Eritreans are leaving the country risking all, their lives, their children, even the safety of those they leave behind. How does YPFDJ not question that?

The shutting of all independent newspapers in the country and  the non existent of freedom of speech. How does YPFDJ not question that?

In March 1994, the Provisional Government of Eritrea established a Constitutional Commission to draft a new constitution. The drafting authority was the transitional National Assembly, a body consisting of 75 members of the EPLF central committee and 75 representatives elected by regional assemblies. After 27 months, the resulting constitution was introduced to the National Assembly in 1997. Although the constitution has been ratified, it has yet to be fully implemented, and general elections have not been held, despite the ratification of an election law in 2002. How does YPFDJ not question that?

The Eritrean constitution calls for legislative, executive, and judicial branches. According to the constitution, a 150-seat unicameral legislature, the National Assembly, decides internal and external policy, approves the budget, and elects the president of the country. However, the National Assembly has not met since 2002, and many of its members are either in prison or have fled the country. Legislative as well as executive functions are now exercised by President Isaias Afwerki.

How does YPFDJ not question that?

The tragedies of human trafficking have been going on for over four years now. Reaching its peak in the last two years? Although the Eritreans that end up in these situations are directly kidnapped by Bedouin smugglers, money exchanges and transactions have been done in Asmara. How does a capable and competent government not question that? How does YPFDJ not question that?

Disowning a mass of perished Eritreans in the Mediterranean Sea calling them I

Illegal African Immigrants, How does YPFDJ not question that?

One thing YPFDJ needs to ask itself is are you serving an individual or a nation?

You are obedient to a tyrant, a dictator and a man that betrayed his comrades and continue to subject them to harsh condition and imprisonment with out trial. A self elected man that refuses to listen to the cries of it’s own people.

You can serve our Eritrea from the right side of the history. That will be the most noble and humble work that you do for your country as well as your people. TAKE A STAND, TAKE THE RIGHT STAND.

FeruzLondon

 

 

aseye.asena@gmail.com

Review overview
72 COMMENTS
  • Zaul November 15, 2013

    Selam Feruz,

    Although I agree with everything that you have written. There is one aspect many people forget about why is it is so hard for some Eritrean Diaspora who left the country before Independence to leave the PFDJ and why their children join YPFDJ.

    Since the struggle days, they have only organized through EPLF and for the cause of the nation. There are no other institutions where Diaspora Eritreans can meet each other in a non-political setting, not in church, no cultural organizations, no non-political youth organizations.

    The best thing the opposition can do is not to attack this kids and see them as spoiled hypocrites, but rather as your lost brothers and sisters who are doing their outmost to try to keep a connection to their heritage and culture. Unfortunately they are as much victims of the PFDJ as you are. Approach them, understand them and try to bring them closer to you without politics. We need to build a strong non-political diaspora organization that makes sure that our youth don’t get lost and we can help each other, new arrivals and our nation.

    • Feruz November 15, 2013

      Zaul, I totally agree with you and that’s why I’m taking this approach of communication with them. What we don’t seem to take into consideration as well is that the parents of those YPFDJ members were a one upon a time die hard EPLF supporters and played a big role in the victory of the war in 1991. How does someone who committed a life time to accomplish this only to find out it’s totally corrupt come out and accept a lifetime of work was wasted. They need to understand their work pre-independence was not a waste, it brought the independence….. However their continuation to support this regime is wasting away that accomplishment. ‘A true nationalist is not dedicated to the government but the nation’ and we are the nation….. It will take A LOT of work to instill this to the minds of those groups of people…. But one thing is for sure…. Calling names and disrespecting each other is not going to help us.
      Again, thank you so much for your kind words everyone….

      • Zaul November 15, 2013

        Feruz,

        You are taking the right approach, because we are bound to live together in the future free and democratic Eritrea.

        We have to work on multiple fronts. We need a strong Diaspora community, no matter our political outlook, when we are close to each other much of the mistrust will dissipate and we can convince or be convinced. But this has to be in an independent setting. If we do not organize ourselves in Diaspora, we will just melt away and won’t even be going back home to live in the democratic and free Eritrea.

        We have to start unaffiliated mini-Eritrean community centers in all cities, neigborhoods throughout the world were we are scattered.

        Keep up the good work my sister, proud of you.

  • yonas November 15, 2013

    feruz i think I’m in love with you

  • tesfaldet November 15, 2013

    ilove it all this WEYANE supportes are mad GOOD JOB SAUDI POLICE kik their stinkig ASS like we use to do in ASMERA when they where working AS GAUSOT DEFAETI ABEBYA & LISTRO THANK YOU SAUDI POLICE

    • MOE November 15, 2013

      IGNORANT GO TO SCHOOL…

  • samuel November 15, 2013

    In the 70s thought the whole pack (“freedom fighters” who were actually subjugated by their own leadership) that the organization would be infallible. For obvious reasons, they are almost no longer visible as “freedom fighters”, as tegadelti in the truest sense of the word. What were they?
    And there was also the Wahyos. Those were the depraved creatures. A brigade of offender (offender of their own brothers and sisters) and incorrigible liar. Once in Europe and in the U.S., they have proliferated.
    From this strange but natural reproduction, the 2nd generation of Wahyo (modern organized) was founded.
    Fought against the Wahyos # 1, albeit verbal. And now we are waging a bitter battle against their children (ypfdj) Wahyo # 2 This is almost like a curse for this small country, Eritrea.

  • Harnet November 15, 2013

    Feruz,

    Proud of you sister! keep it up. I hope the YPFDJ kids read it, but they limit themselves to reading only from PFDJ approved media outlets.

  • Eyob November 15, 2013

    This article is so condescending and down right disrespectful to any sane logical individual. Initially the opposition called YPFDJ “Hitler youth” and question their loyalties to the nation and people and now you call them very sharp, bright and truly nationalist. Which one is it? If you knew what the goals, mission statement and principles of YPFDJ were, you wouldn’t have spewed this absurd statement, “You are obedient to a tyrant, a dictator and a man that betrayed his comrades….” YPFDJ and Eritrea for that matter is not about one man and to suggest that is idiotic. Sadly what the author fails to understand is these questions are constantly being discussed and being asked at our conferences, seminars, meetings, etc. Change will come internally and not from external pressure or from the likes of the opposition who don’t understand the cornerstones of democracy, respect and tolerance. Lastly, what and who gives the author the moral authority to claim that he is right and others are wrong?

    • Zaul November 15, 2013

      Eyob,

      What do you say about the issues of rule of Law and the indefinite military service? When you say change Will come from within? What kind of change? By whom?

      Hawka

  • eritrean November 15, 2013

    Just stop pretending to be Eritreans. We know you are ugumat. Get out of our land. Then you will see all the problems stop in Eritrea!

    • Concerned Eritrawi November 15, 2013

      eritrean,
      not all eritrean are like you
      You need to learn to be civilized person before insulting others. It just shows/reflects on you

      • ahmed saleh November 15, 2013

        FAKE Eritrean
        Your president under your nose rewarded DEMHT first class ERITREAN citizenship to protect you from the real
        natives men/women who are the country original habitants ( dekibat ) just for now . Time is on your side to
        call names while HGDF and DEMHIT security forces assured the interest of your alike inside the country .
        Do not worry everything got its own time and wrongs is always short lived .

  • Feruz November 15, 2013

    Zaul, I totally agree with you and that’s why I’m taking this approach of communication with them. What we don’t seem to take into consideration as well is that the parents of those YPFDJ members were a one upon a time die hard EPLF supporters and played a big role in the victory of the war in 1991. How does someone who committed a life time to accomplish this only to find out it’s totally corrupt come out and accept a lifetime of work was wasted. They need to understand their work pre-independence was not a waste, it brought the independence….. However their continuation to support this regime is wasting away that accomplishment. ‘A true nationalist is not dedicated to the government but the nation’ and we are the nation….. It will take A LOT of work to instill this to the minds of those groups of people…. But one thing is for sure…. Calling names and disrespecting each other is not going to help us.
    Again, thank you so much for your kind words everyone….

  • ahmed saleh November 15, 2013

    Ferus
    There are many questions which need answers . Majority of EPLF supporters didn’t play a role deeply
    in politics except to show unreserved support for political leadership . Their guideline on technical
    plan to mobilize mass organization dominated by blind followers was part of the game . And that is why
    many fair minded Eritreans used to stay out of politics because to express your criticism in a meeting
    was risky business to invite enemies within your community . I think after years it became like a culture
    to act like idiots when it comes into politics .The only ones who tried to engage deeply in Eritrean politics
    was the NORTH AMERICA ERITREAN STUDENTS ASSOCIATION where ISSYAS formally cut-off their ties from EPLF which
    lead into confusion , to the mysterious death of their leader in New York and finally to the movement’s demise .

  • Sarah November 16, 2013

    Strong words from someone who seems quite bitter towards the government. If you truly knew anything about YPFDJ and what they stand for and what positive impacts they’re making on the country you would think otherwise. Members of the diaspora like you do nothing but complain about the country while they are out actually making the changes and are helping to move the country forward. Funny how after the lampedusa incident fake activists like you seem to emerge…..

    • ahmed saleh November 16, 2013

      Sarah
      Personal emotion or personal agenda might alienate the spirit of ultimate good of man kind . Denying to
      recognize the truth on the ground of Eritrean lives can not be win by reason because clearly the volume
      proved it all in front our naked eye . Eritreans deserves to have independent mass organization free
      from political dominance to look after their social affairs . By the way Lampedusa incident is not the
      first and not the last rather a wake up call to all Eritreans . Consider about those thousands Eritrean
      refugees in neighboring countries mainly the young age and the challenge they face in daily life . Do not
      surprise to hear another sad news while some of us prefer to enjoy dancing alongside the government on
      their expense . Infact , progressive nationalist give priority to satisfy people’s demand contrary to
      those who pledge to please government officials .

      • Sarah November 16, 2013

        Okay if we are going to be talking about facts here, I don’t see any eysc members sending money to families of martyrs who risked their lives for YOUR freedom. I don’t see children of the opposition getting their masters and PHDs and going back to the country and teach their people the skills they need to survive. Just accept the fact that while you opposition are sitting down on your computer complaining about the country YPFDJ are out there making the country a better place while you do NOTHING to help it grow. Stop complaining and go DO SOMETHING.

        • MightyEmbasoyra November 16, 2013

          Sara,
          Did you say “the country in better place”? Are we talking about the same Eritrea? The country is running to ground? What planet do you live. Please, get real.

        • Mike AG November 17, 2013

          If you’ve been sending money back home destined towards assisting martyrs’ families, you’ve been had. Unless you are sending that money directly to these families if you’re sending it to the so-called Martyrs Trust Fund, that money never reaches the family. And this why you’re being asked to open your eyes. Anyway, Sarah we’ve gained so much experience over the past years we can now smell a rat from miles. This message is for the b young Eritrean generation, the YPFDJ and other youths who are the bright future of the country. This is not for a PFDJ official or a puppet who comes in here desperately trying to carry on confusing out youths. They’re a lot smarter than you’re willing to give them credit for. They’re not going to fall for your tricks and deceptions for long and all the bahla (cultural festivals) in the world will not stop them for walking away and side with their people when they find out the truth.

          Feruz, well done for trying to reach out to the young generation. This is very timely and you have every justice and freedom-loving person’s support.

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