The Board of Directors at Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change North America (EYSC-NA) would like to let know members of this vibrant group and all change seekers that we have decided to make change of leadership to prevent any catastrophic damage to the organization.

On Saturday March 2, 2013 the board of directors conducted an Emergency meeting  and decided to demote the current chairman of EYSC-NA, Mr. Daniel G.Mikael from his position.

According to the Bylaws of EYSC board of directors has the highest power in the organization and the executive board executes on decisions made by the board of directors, and oversees and implements the daily activities of the organization. These two branches of the organization discuss on issues, make decisions and work together. When disagreement arises decisions are made based on majority votes. However, Mr. Daniel time and again failed to make these two branches to come and work together on issues that are very critical for the movement. A good example of his failures is the divisive public announcement posted on March 1, 2013 on the EYSC facebook under the name Eri-EYSC, which clearly said better if we go our separate ways while the majority of the board members were working on conflict resolution.

The Board has been trying hard to improve the leadership of the movement on resolving problems by discussion. However, the solutions couldn’t come according to the wishes of the majority of the board members. Several of the meetings that were called to resolve such problems did not bear fruit or come to a common conclusion. So due to all these unresolved issues and to mend the organization’s image majority members of the board of directors called an emergency meeting and concluded its meeting with a change of leadership. At the conclusion of this emergency meeting conducted on March 2, 2013: 13 (thirteen) members of the board voted for Mr. Daniel G.Mikael to be removed from his leadership position; none of the board members voted for him to stay in his position; 2 (two) abstained and 4 (four) of the meeting participants did not vote asking for the meeting to continue for Saturday March 9, 2013. Based on the bylaws of the organization and the majority vote in favor of Daniel’s removal from his leadership the board of directors concluded its meeting by demoting Mr. Daniel G.Mikael from his leadership position and the current vice chairman of the organization Mr. Solomon Assefaw to lead the organization as an interim chair person with immediate effect. Mr. Solomon accepted his new position and promised to bring the organization together and the board of directors assured him their fullest support during the critical transition period. The board of directors also agreed for Mr. Daniel to continue as a board member and ask him to work for the betterment of the organization.

On this occasion, the board of directors calls to and believes all members of EYSC around the world to support this decision. We would like to assure you that we are committed more than ever to stop the suffering of our people and country. We also ask you to keep up the hard work to put this vibrant organization as it was hoped for.

EYSC supports all inside and Diaspora based Eritrean change seeking groups and movements to salvage the nation and its people. EYSC reaffirms that it will work hand in hand with all opposition groups (Youth movements, civic organizations, human right groups and political organizations) in the ongoing quest for change in Eritrea.

Meeting participants were 19 and here below are the breakdown of the votes and names of the voters.

Those voted NO and chose Daniel should stay as a leader of the organization: None (0)

Those voted YES for Daniel to be demoted from his leadership position: Thirteen (13)

1. Bereket Yohannes: From Winnipeg Canada Chapter
2. Ghezae Hagos፡ From Winnipeg Canada Chapter
3. Getu Tsgai፡  From Toronto Canada Chapter
4. George Gebreslassie፡ From Delaware USA Chapter
5. Haben Berhane፡ From DC-Maryland-Virginia USA Chapter
6. Aman Luul፡ From Nashville USA Chapter
7. Ghezae Zeresenay: From Bay Area USA
8. Isayas Sium፡ From Bay Area USA Chapter
9. Medhane Afeworqi፡  From Bay Area USA Chapter
10. Tsigabu Asmelash፡  From Bay Area USA Chapter
11. Abdu Seed፡  From Las Vegas USA Chapter
12. Daniel Asrat፡  From Houston USA Chapter
13. Tedros Mengistu፡  From Houston USA Chapter

Those  chose to abstain: Two (2)

1. Alem Habtay፡  From Los Angeles USA Chapter
2. Tigisti Mehari፡ From DC-Maryland-Virginia USA Chapter

Those chose not to vote: Four (4)

1. Solomon Assefaw ፡ From Bay Area USA Chapter
2. Yonas Hagos፡ From Los Angeles USA Chapter
3. Amanuel Fisihaye ፡ From Los Angeles USA Chapter
4. Aron Haile:  From Bay Area USA Chapter

Board of Directors Eritrean Youth Solidarity for Change-North America (EYSC-NA)

March 8, 2013