Open Letter to All Eritrean Youth Associations working for Democratic Change in Eritrea:
It has been some weeks since we released a communique criticizing the rushed and premature decision by the head of the executive to go ahead and hold an EYSNS Congress without due diligence to all
It has been some weeks since we released a communique criticizing the rushed and premature decision by the head of the executive to go ahead and hold an EYSNS Congress without due diligence to all the attendant and all-important pre-conditions that are crucial for a successful congress.
Since then we have been closely following the reactions and responses to our collective and open statement. Most of the responses we have received were positive and constructive in a critical way. A few were negative, reactive, and not helpful. There was and still is a dogged and persistent attempt by some to personalize matters by deliberately sidestepping and neglecting the substantial legal, structural, and procedural issues and concerns raised in our letter. We were also dismayed to see some counter-declarations to our statement originating from obscure sources in the Middle-East, Sudan, and Australia. We have thought it better not to issue another counter-counter-statement as we believe that everybody concerned and privy to the ongoing issue in these areas and others is well aware of the facts on the ground.
A skype meeting was also held on November 9, 2013 with six members of the executive branch of the National Council for Democratic Change (NCDC) in which each signatory association was given ample time to present its standpoint. We believe it was a belated and long overdue effort; but, nonetheless, we want to express our deep appreciation and gratitude to the Bayto members for taking this admirable initiative and wish them success in their worthy endeavour.
We would also like to take this opportunity to recollect and reflect on the words of the leaders of the NCDC and the different national political opposition leaders who- during the Eritrean Youth Forum which was held at Debre-Zeit, Ethiopia, from July 7-17, 2012- were formally invited to address and update the youth gathering on the current situation within the opposition movement. In those few hours given to them, they were very candid, critical, and humble when they were addressing us. The gridlock with in the NCDC and the added chaos of the multitudes of political parties in the Eritrean political scene were mentioned by Dr Yosuf Ibrahim (Executive Chairperson of NCDC), and he cautioned the gathering against duplicating the same blunders and mistakes of their elders.
All of them had shared their high hopes that the gathering should be the jumping point that will bring unity of purpose and action for the different youth associations all over the world. The Forum was expected to raise the bar of such political meetings and set an example. It was anticipated to lead the way by bringing and channeling the diverse youth voices into a collaborative, united, and effective front for an all wide and urgent change, and thus also nudging the NCDC and other forces within the traditional opposition movement from their stagnation and inertia.
Regrettably, our journey of almost a year and half since Debre Zeit has been anything but exemplary and a game-changer. It is unfortunate for Eritrea and its suppressed and fleeing population that even its young children-its youth- have not learned from the politics of the recent past. While a whole country is imploding, we are spending precious time accusing, plotting, and throwing mud and venom at each other.
In our short and common history as a nation the issue of a United Eritrean Youth Voice has never been more crucially important than NOW. Now, more than ever before, is the time to work strenuously towards achieving the so-far elusive organizational structure that can promote, facilitate, and channel effectively the participation of all the diverse youth groupings and associations towards a common goal of achieving a democratic change in our country. Now, more than ever before, we need and must look beyond our negligible differences (religion, ethnicity, region, class, gender, etc.) towards an all-embracing organizational structure that will bring a sense of urgency and unity of purpose in achieving the respectable and sacred mission of deliverance of our country and people from an impending disaster.
Current developments inside and outside our country make it very clear and imperative that the Eritrean Youth must shoulder her/his generational responsibility and role to bring about an over-due change for our people and country before calamity strikes. It is now or never. We cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today. The Lampadusa tragedy may pale in comparison with what awaits us tomorrow if we don’t act today. For our action to have any meaningful impact, the onus is upon us to look beyond what ails and separates us by focusing on the great objective of regime change in our country.
It is meaningless and counter-productive to talk of congress at this time. Trust and confidence building measures must take precedence. We need first to pragmatically re-assess our journey of the last one year and half. What we see is lack of reasonable discourse, accountability, transparency, and a glaring disregard or disrespect for democratic norms and procedures compounded by lack of structural or institutionalized procedures to handle conflict when and if it arises.
In order to re-build confidence and trust, and remedy the mistakes already done, re-engage with those who have left us, and bring on board yet more Eritrean youth associations who believe in the democratic struggle for change, and also exploit the latest developments within the different opposition movements, we are putting forth the following proposal:
v Holding of a seminar or workshop that brings together a balanced group of concerned, learned and competent actors from the diverse interest groups with in Eritrean political landscape
v The seminar to critically assess the performance of the EYSNS leadership (which has already passed its one-year legal mandate given it at the Debre-Zeit Forum) since its formation at Debre Zeit
v The seminar to come out with a road-map that will chart the way and bring coherence and unity for the diverse youth associations
Signatories :
1. Eritrean Youth Solidarity for National Salvation (EYSNS) – Australia
2. Eritrean Youth Solidarity for National Salvation (EYSNS) – New Zealand
3. Eritrean Youth Solidarity for National Salvation (EYSNS) – Sudan Central
4. Eritrean Youth Solidarity for National Salvation (EYSNS) – Middle East (Qatar – Kwait – Bahrain and United Arab Emirates )
5. Eritrean Youth Movement for Change Switzerland
6. Eritrean Youth & Inttelectuals Movement
7. The Red Sea Afar Youth Union
8. Eritrean Movement for Change (EMC)
9. Eritrean Australian Youth (EAYOUTH)
10. Eritrean Forume for National Dialogue
Bereket and Wedi negash 2 [Birmingham] November 30, 2013
Nothing is new, this style has been on going for the last 40 years. You haven’t put anything new at all for Eritreans, our grandfather from the JEBHA era till now the same song we had and tired of it. You repeated what was said before. You better to engage yourself and renew your attitude and upgarade. I am not sure if this is written by organsisations or individuals. Before you regrouping yourself Issais will collapse. Engage yourself with the new development, it is not about age, it is about how you react and adjust yourself with new development. The change will come from inside Eritrea anyway. No hope from outside Eritrea.
Asefaw November 30, 2013
I like it, you said it well. Eysn YMCA emccc the only positive that I sow is from the Arbi Harnet
Eden November 30, 2013
Hello! Deleyti Fithi. I love you guys because you are my people, however I highly disapproval your dream to remove Eritrea’s President from power with the help of Weyane. First of all, I find your dream to be just a delusion, because why would Weyane waste their time and money on your battle. What is that they getting from your battle? Are you going to give them Assab or more than that for their efforts? Look we know that Ethiopian will not sacrifice their lives for you guys for free. Second, I find your dream or believe to be HYPOCRITE. You criticize our president for having Demhit in Asmara, yet you go ask Tigray people to fight for your cause. Do you realize that Demhit and Tegaru are the same people? Guys wake up and smile the coffee and stop this none sense delusion.
michael November 30, 2013
I wonder where the north American and European side of the EYSNS are since they don’t seem to be signatories of this letter. Anyone any idea?
aster November 30, 2013
why are you in ehiopia with wayane to solve eritrea problem we have abig problem with them
rti November 30, 2013
Eden, you’re still supporting your woyane compatriots, what else? Woyanes probably sacrifice their lives for you Eden and Isaias.
Senait November 30, 2013
Dear Hypocrite concerned people
First of all I should remind you, not to forget your roots and the language of you majority people whom you are pretentiously saying you fighting for. If that is your case why don’t you write your piece in Arabic or Tigrigna or other Eritrean language for that matter.
Secondly you are talking by hiding on the Names of organizations you created with no members or if any one each. If that is not the case tell us who the hell are you. We know you guys the one is known in New Zealand, one in Canada, one in the Sudan, and a couple in Sweden.
thirdly, who are you by the way to talk about the negative and only negative of the opposition in general and the Baito in particular. They are the architects of the flame of the opposition and you the youngsters must show us so that the flame you inherited continue burning and burning bigger.
Fourth, if you really are thinking for Eritrea and its people please try to change from within not hiding some where in the west or else. These people on the ground are trying all their best and they didn’t speak but it is too much on your side. As the saying goes “barking dogs never bit” you guys are not serious and I can see you are talking the talk but not walking the walk. We did try to dig and know what is going on but what we got is absolutely the opposite of what you are talking. It could be right if the guys on the ground should say “ITI KELBI YINBH ITI GEMEL DIMA GUEZOU YIKISIL”
Fifth, previously you guys told us you were part of the movement. If that is the case show us what did you do to correct the mistakes that you are now talking about. Did you guys participated in any of the activities that the guys on the ground are doing. What was the assignment by the congress at Debrezeit and if you were part of the accomplished assignments tell us what and how.
At last what I can say is this. Please for the sake of the people of Eritrea stop blaming those who are trying to push according to their capacity. And as Eritreans if you are saying there needs more to be done ENHO FERES ENHO MEDA show us. We tired of hearing and reading false accusations and counter accusations.
Tes December 1, 2013
Senu Haftey You said it to all to the point. Those moaners come with this audacious remark hiding behind imaginary names of organization as concerned once. WOOO I wonder how many member they have in each organization. I bet not more than two a man with his girl fiend or a husband with is wife. We need to ignore those losers and spoilers. The will be inflated to the level of explosion by themselves. Just get real guys!
Said November 30, 2013
We all ways negative to say but let us go and let it happen, we all for it, why not everything takes time, we not building a playground, blue building of government, in it democracy, let’s keep hope alive.united against dictator.
Dawit November 30, 2013
Eritrean solutions for Eritrean problems. EYSC is the way to go. The rest are carrying the baggage of the last generation.
aus 17 November 30, 2013
WE are fed up of the numerical marathon meetings of the oppostions. We want to see a real change of actions on the ground. For years you claim to be there without effectively replying to the calls of our people.
Can you clean this man- Isayas, do it or keep shut down. You have the weapons, few dedicated soldiers, army, insiders, and informers. therefore what a hec is keeping you barking day in and day out untill you loose any respect from your oun people.The greatest hero is the one who liquidates this gangster, barbaric ruler of Eritrea. Otherwise leave us in peace with our bruise and ruins.
negassi December 1, 2013
please don’t try to spoil things that is going towards the people’s goal. If you want to do some thing good please organize you own group and compete democratically in future. Fighting a group who are fighting the regime mean otherwise. stop it- No body will listen to you.