An Eritrean scholar and a Catholic priest, Aba Teklemichael Tewelde, urges the Eritrean government to take its people’s needs into consideration by bringing about fundamental change which he claims is way overdue and that can no longer be deferred, in an annual religious ceremony in October 12/2018 in the town of Segeneity around 60 k/m south of the Capital Asmara.

Aba Teklemichael Tewelde, in his address commended the Ethiopian Prime Minister Dr Abiyi Ahmed for his exemplary leadership in bringing about positive change by focusing on reconciliation for nation building. He also praised him for employing transparency and being accountable as well as humble and honest while taking his people’s voice and concerns into consideration.

“A leader who cannot bring his people together cannot lead.  A leader, like a parent to his child, needs to accommodate differing opinions and viewpoints. He needs to coordinate as well as create a platform for peaceful dialogue” he explained.

While highlighting shortcomings that were impacting Eritreans negatively, the scholar put emphasis on lack of reliable information, the fact that Eritreans are not at all actively involved in national affairs in a lawful and peaceful manner, or indeed with no say on relevant national issues whatsoever.

He then went on to say:

“What we wish for is, as we have witnessed (in Ethiopia), for real and comprehensive change to take place in regards to peace and national reconciliation that ensures the participation of (Eritreans) in Diaspora as well as in prisons which has rule of law at its center.”

Referring to the Algiers agreement signed between Eritrea and Ethiopia in the year 2000, and which Ethiopia agreed to implement unconditionally when the peace talks begun back in June of 2018, Aba Teklemichael said,

“What we need right now is, for the border which has caused us immense suffering to be demarcated. That is what interests us primarily.”

According to the priest, for the new era of partial peace, hope and change to be fruitful, everything outdated needs to go. A change in outlook is crucial. Fundamental change in governance is imperative. So is change of heart in those who have the power.

Aba Teklemichael finally called upon the Eritrean government, to loosen its grip on the people and on the youth to refrain from fleeing the country.

The scholar is the second prominent Eritrean, to publicly denounce the ruling party in Eritrea from inside the country. Back in September of this year, the former finance minister Mr. Berhane Abrehe was taken away by security agents for having criticized the president Isayas Afwerki. His whereabouts still remains unknown.