ERITREA – PLAN FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION; FORMATION OF A NEW ERITREAN MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE – DRAFT DOCUMENT – By Our Voice – Eritrea
Mission Statement: The mandate of the democratic leadership of the Our Voice - Eritrea movement is nothing else but to function as a preparatory body to bring about the establishment of accountable and sustainable constitutional
Mission Statement: The mandate of the democratic leadership of the Our Voice – Eritrea movement is nothing else but to function as a preparatory body to bring about the establishment of accountable and sustainable constitutional governance in Eritrea in which all members of the society will have a full say. We are seeking no less than regime change and the transfer of state power to the people at the earliest.
k.tewolde July 23, 2015
Great mission statement! It is doable. Comparing to large nations that went through this kind of trivia, Eritrea is a neighborhood. All we need is a selfless , capable , and committed leadership backed by genuine Eritrean people fresh attitude. This is the land of fire breathing heroes. Let us get our mojo back. Love you all.
Gherhi Libu July 23, 2015
Another one?
Selamawi July 23, 2015
Admittedly I have not read it through but from my bird’s eye-view I would like to see who are (or just is ?) the writers, where are they based on the ground?
Our Voice July 24, 2015
The movement is based in London. But, we have members all over the world. The names of those in positions of leadership will be announced at a later stage.
AHMED SALEH July 23, 2015
ANE YIBEKI NISA DIMA TETELYA TSESE’E
diyom zibeluwo
Don’t they notice how our people are tired of
opposition parties reluctance to bring unity .
And what makes you different than them to
come out with another movement at times your
people are at urgent need to bring change .
Sad to end up surrounded with paper tigers good at only meetings after meetings .
Our Voice July 24, 2015
By the way, we are not a political party. We are a movement trying to introduce some new ideas and ways of doing things. We are only facilitators, and we do not aspire for political office. We are fed up of endlessly going in circles. Our ideas, we believe, have the potential to result in breakthrough from the present stalemate of disaster we are in.
k.tewolde July 23, 2015
The attitude on the posts above is a momentum killing, self fullfiling prophecy of defeat, and groundless suspicion. I don’t blame you , because decades of potent injection of poison into our psyche by the ruthless tyrant has left all of us paranoid. Who gives a damn where it originated from, the content’s messege is positive, the mission clear , it outlines the the road map of victory over tyranny. Gentlemen, let’s frisk our inner core before we say anything, because, we are a sum total of our past experience, positive or negative. By the way , aren’t we trying to get rid of one party dominated autocratic regime and replace it with a pluralistic, multiparty , democratic system, where every Eritrean voice matters? So what is the fuss when somebody shows up on the horizon with good news? What is wrong if we have 50 political parties , as long as everybody is working for the common good and pluck our people from the cesspool their in. It is time to rewire the brain. It is time to retool.
Dawit July 24, 2015
Your observation is interesting, and it needs to be looked into seriously by specialists in a multi-disciplinary way – and come up with an antidote to the poison that administered by the dictator. I have a simple question here: would it be better to change the present flag of the state of Eritrea which was invented by Isaias himself and also amend the national anthem? Would that help? I am only asking!
Abu Barka July 23, 2015
It is strange! These are group of identity crisis who have no place in the opposition or the government. It is not a movement but rather opportunism. If they programs why they hide their identity? Then who are they to discredit our struggle and history?
It is not political movement but talk about politics, they talk about leadership and they did not disclose their qualities, they talk about scientific research but they did not mention their qualifications. The worst thing is they have funds but the source is not mentioned. Too soft towards Ethiopia under the current leadership, therefore, can we say that the group of people of mental disorder or identity crisis!
Our Voice - Eritrea July 24, 2015
Abu Barka,
Don’t worry, the identity of those in positions of leadership at Our Voice – Eritrea will be announced to the public in good time. Their qualifications and achievements will also be presented. We are here not to discredit anyone. We have a higher purpose which is way beyond that. However, the old ways of doing things have not taken us anywhere, and we are seeking solutions. We believe that the old political parties have largely failed to provide us with the right leadership with powerful ideas. They need to recognize that and reform themselves. As we said, we are not a political party aspiring for power. We are only facilitators. Please listen to what we are saying!
Abu Barka July 25, 2015
This is a dream of Abay Tigray project, it is none of our business. You failed to convince me as an individual, how will you convince five million people? Is your menefest cooked somewhere in Tigray? As a neighbor I respect the other side however very cautious. Again, your focus is only on kebesa but the lowland is totally absent from your vision. Are you establishing a company or national matter?
Kerenites would call it “jafar habawu migib haza” ezi wedhanka wedi hatse yowhannis!
k.tewolde July 23, 2015
The mind is a powerful thing. It where decisions are made, to fight back or flee , to trust or to be skeptical , to love or to hate , to challenge or to succumb, to be vigil or complacent , to be a leader or a follower…….the slick tyrant knew that early ,and he used , and he is still using that as a tool to his own advantage.Why do you think he is snatching impressionable kids from the arms of their parents and taking them away to that infamous camp. Nobody knows the psyche of the Eritrean people better than him, it is his formidable weapon , not AK-47 OR RPGS. While we were duking it out in the trenches of the front lines as boy soldiers , he was masterminding our demise under a cool shade in the rear. Why do you think his poor supporters carry the picture of his younger years in rallies?, because he cemented himself in their frontal cortex, they can’t shake it off. When we are at home tonight , approach the mirror and examine ourselves closely, there is a little bit of him in all of us. that is why it is taking to long to get rid of him. We still carry his party’s banner don’t we? Epiphany!!!!!the opposition camp are doing what they could despite all the odds against them, slowly chipping away at his weapon,winning over the ERITREAN PSYCHE.As far as the pessimistic bloggers do your part.
Tewelde g/mariam July 23, 2015
This is more of the same,Wocho Entegelbetkaio Wocho. Any Eritrean organization that does not see isaias afewerki and woyane as one is doomed to failure. Only the one that relays on the Eritrean people will succeed and it has to be all inclusive. It’s leaders must be genuine seb risti Eritreans that can trace their ancestors up to seven. And its mode of struggle must be nonviolence, Period.
Shinun July 23, 2015
Why do you say that this is more of the same? Have you read the article properly? I doubt it! Please have a look at it again!! May I ask you a question anyway? Is it only those who have a risti in Eritrea who can claim to be Eritreans? May I ask how much education you have? You probably need to go back to school and find out where the world is now!! You seem to be someone from the 18th century.
Tewelde g/mariam July 24, 2015
He who does not learn from history is doomed to commit the same mistake for ever.
Eritreans must avoid doing bloody mistake again. We cannot afford another half century blunder. The betrayal by isaias afewerki and his cabals must serve us a lesson to adopt the principle of risti and seven years Eritrean ancestors as stringent requirement on our would be leaders. No WederbaA in the helm of our government again.
However, the principle can be relaxed as our political foundation and security apparatus matures.
Abu Barka July 23, 2015
Absolutely right! The types of Isyas will no longer appear in our struggle again. Every country has its own foundation and ours is deqiabat if someone is not indeginous there should not be a place for leadership. Let the world go its way but we should have our own way. People of identity crisis must not illude us at all. Deqiabat !deqiabat! deqiabat!
Shinun July 23, 2015
Excellent – I could not have put it in a better way. Well done, my friend!!
Abu Barka July 23, 2015
This is an illusion be more realistic!
Yeni July 24, 2015
“We are not a political party, nor do we aspire for political office. Rather, we see ourselves as catalysts and facilitators of change in Eritrea.” … “To be powerful as a group is nothing else but to have powerful and compelling ideas.” Cleverly crafted contradictory thoughts? “The Eritrean situation is extreme, and nobody expected it to be this bad and so shocking.” Where were you the nameless called “Our Voice: academics professionals”? Somehow in a deep sleep for over two decades… A typical legacy of moral contradiction and distraction insanity. What a huge waste, and such a huge disappointment?
Ogbai Ghebremedhin July 24, 2015
Dear Presenters of NEW PLAN FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION; FORMATION OF A NEW ERITREAN MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRATIC CHANGE:
I have not read the memo yet, hence I cannot give my comments on it. My first impression, however, is where are the names and faces behind the memo that can assist in the transparency and accountability. Some people would say names and faces are of no consequences. But actions cannot be separated from actors.
In any case, my immediate criticism is why is the memo with noble idea that concerns the Eritrean people not accompanied with at least TIGRIGNA TRANSLATION, if it is meant to be genuinely inclusive. That is a must before you go any further into the discussion. Unless you want it to remain elitist: for only English comprehending Eritreans.
The other serious concern I have had from your – A SWIFT EFFECTIVE AND LASTING SOLUTION TO THE ERITREAN NIGHTMARE!! – A Short Thesis on Strategy By Our Voice By assenna on May 16, 2015 – was what your wrote in the historical background: “The establishment of Eritrea as a separate entity in the late 19th century was the result of Italian colonialism with the connivance of Emperor Menelik II of Ethiopia. The Eritrean people had no hand in it. They were, in fact, sold out by Menelik.. . . In short, Menelik committed treason by giving away Eritrea to suit himself.”
That I found very disturbing, for besides distorting history, if falls into justifying the claim Emperor HaileSelassie fabricated in the 40s that led to the sham federation. Look at the geopolitics of the world in the last hundred years and tell us what you see now and then. Isn’t it a fact that the Ethiopia we know today came into existence with Menelik emerging as the victor and sole king which is around 1890? And isn’t that the same year when Eritrea fell into Italian colonization? Hence, doesn’t history show that Eritrea and Ethiopia came simultaneously in their present shape into existence? I wonder why you had to go into details of history, when the burning issue is WHAT IS TO BE DONE?
Please clarify. I will give you my holistic comment on the memo once I get the chance to read it mindfully.
Our Voice - Eritrea July 24, 2015
Hi Ogbai,
1. You are absolutely right. The text has to be translated not only into Tigrigna, but also Arabic. We are looking for translators. Anyone interested, please e-mail us. We shall pay for it.
2. About the question of Eritrea being sold by Menelik! I think we have to face facts. Especially the highland part of what we now call Eritrea our home was in large part ruled or was under the influence of Ethiopian kings. Even Bahre Negash Isaak, the ruler of Mereb Milash based in Diba Ruwa, was from Shire Inda Selassie. By colluding with the Italians and giving away all Eritrean land and facilities therein, Menelic gave away Ethiopian claim on the whole of Eritrea. It is a closed matter that cannot be resuscitated as some Ethiopians are trying to do. The African Union charter also recognizes the inviolability of colonial boundaries. Therefore, why should that worry you?
3. Did Ethiopia come into existence in the late 19th century just like Eritrea? That is hard to say. But, it is true that the size of the country doubled under Menelik. There is still a technical debate whether it was a colonial expansion or a feudal expansion. The Oromos prefer to call it colonial expansion. But, clearly, Ethiopia had existed at least for several centuries earlier. It was called “Abyssinia” by outsiders but the people used “Ethiopia” to refer to their country at least since approximately 1500 A.D. or maybe even earlier.
Tewelde g/mariam July 25, 2015
My hunch is: this organization is nothing but Baito reinvented to appear more than it is in fact. And the historical distortions are dircetly copied from woyane blue book of halewlew.
By the way the word Abyssinia is a derivative of the word Habesha. And it was the Europeans that coined it.
The word Ethiopia and Sudan have identical meaning, black. The former is from Greek language, and the latter, Arabic. They both refer to the same people, to the people who are now living in the Sudan.
fetsum abraham July 24, 2015
I read the whole thing and felt a little better than their earlier exposure. I advice the writers to expose themselves so that we can feel comfortable about their integrity and to take it easy on the history stuff because it is not helpful for this struggle in anyway. The current challenge is about producing a strategy towards democracy not about our history. I felt good reading about their clear position on the inefficient and useless political groups that claim to free Eritrea from the dictatorship and disqualifying their importance on the merit in favor of a new beginning. this is certainly a step forward but I regret the group’s concept of transparency which i found contradictory to their claim on the subject in this appearance. The group needs to translate its words in action by responding to other proposals and challenges from the people and cannot claim transparent and the voice of the people ignoring other inputs and suggestions, criticisms, etc. Yet, they have not forwarded a Concrete Strategy by which all the good proposals can be reduced to practice. They should produce a written strategy ASAP to be taken seriously because theories must be backed up by guidelines to be practical. What they have so far produced is ideas as to what to be done next but not the badly needed strategy that can change the situation through international support.
I hope they will show us the strategy soon before they build our confidence or adopt other strategies in the absence of one. As it stands today, the good work has no capacity to impress international politicians for the only way of achieving this is by providing written strategy by which all the goodies in the proposal can be practical.That makes the strategy the priority of this groups to succeed.
I hope they will concentrate on this and produce it ASAP. The development is, however, beautiful only if they can be practical about what they have said. We will see in the future and good luck..
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