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Thank you TPLF, EPRDF, Ethiopia: ‘Enamesegenalen’ – By Dr. Mohamed Kheir

Katie Melua is one of my favorite western singers. Her soothing voice and musical tone gives one relaxation. The title of this article is inspired by one of her songs, ‘thank you stars’, in her

Katie Melua is one of my favorite western singers. Her soothing voice and musical tone gives one relaxation. The title of this article is inspired by one of her songs, ‘thank you stars’, in her album ‘piece by piece’.  I would like to regard myself as one of those ‘others’ who attended the meeting of Eritrean intellectuals, professionals and others in Addis Ababa last month. I think it is important for the Eritrean opposition to have good and healthy relations with all political actors in Ethiopia and in the region generally, be they in power or in opposition. It is also important for all of us that we and our neighbors live in peace based on mutual respect and understanding. It is only then we can have sustainable development. It is also important that we have free, democratic and justice upholding countries around us that respect human rights. We all gain from that.  Regarding relations with the Ethiopian opposition, the bottom line should be that they recognize Eritrean independence and sovereignty.

Ethiopia with about 80 million people is one of our big neighbors. We are bound to live as neighbors for ever. We have historical relations with it and we have ethnic extensions like we have it with all our neighbors. It was our colonial power; we were forcibly annexed to it for 30 years. The legacy of the liberation war and the border war after liberation has left deep injuries that arehealing with time.  Our current brutal dictatorial regime that is oppressing us can not be entrusted to forge good relations with Ethiopia or with our other neighbors. It is in the interest of both countries that we lay ground for a new fraternal relationship based on mutual interest and trust and it is high time the Eritrean opposition did that. I have previously reflected on our relationship in two articles related to the last year meeting of the National Conference for Democratic Change in Addis. At this particular junction of our history I would like to thank the TPLF in particular and the EPRDF in general for the following specific reasons. I am not looking for nor I am in need of any favors from the Ethiopian Government in doing so, but I want to state facts that have been blurred by the huge propaganda machine of the Eritrea regime. I have also to state that like many other Eritreans, I supported the Eritrean Government during the border war.

Thank you for:

–    Hosting the Eritrean opposition during the last decade and for keeping it alive;

–    Accepting all components of the Eritrea opposition as they define themselves be it based on ethnic, religious or other wise and giving room even to those who accuse you of interfering negatively in the Eritrean affairs and for respecting Eritrean diversity;

–    Being friend in times of great need when all our neighbors not only abandoned us but collaborate with the Eritrean regime in oppressing us;

–    Protecting us from our own Government on a daily basis by providing refuge to more than 60, 000 Eritreans (most of whom are young);

–    Saving the lives of 4000 young Eritreans from being deported back to Eritrea from neighboring countries that were supposed to give us at least safe haven based on religious and humanitarian grounds;

–    Easing the situation at the refugee camps and for opening the opportunity for higher studies where more than 500 persons take advantage of it at present. This is at the time young students are forced to live in trenches for years without education in their own country.

–    Giving Eritreans in Ethiopia, preferential treatment based on the historical ties;

–    Recognizing and defending the right to Eritrean independence during the liberation war when even some Eritrean scholars felt that the Mengistu regime was so progressive so that there was no need for independence

–    Recognizing Eritrean independence from the start and paying a high price for that after the downfall of the Dergue regime;

–    Emphatically stating that you respect the territorial integrity of Eritrea and for showing to the Ethiopian chauvinists that Ethiopia can not only survive but it can thrive as well, without any ports of its own, while at the same time our own Government is working closely with the Ethiopian opposition that do not recognize our independence and have declared openly that they will retake Assab. By doing so, has the Eritrean regime lost all its legitimacy to represent Eritreans.

–    Stating that you have recognized the border ruling between the two countries in writing to the Secretary General of the UN and for asking for negotiations during implementation so that the marking on the ground will be carried out to the best benefit of people living in the border area;

–    Clarifying that there is Eritrean territory that was given to Ethiopia by the border Commission still under the administration of the Eritrean Government. Our Government just emphasizes that the Weyane are still holding Eritrean territory.

–    Being honest in not only recognizing and apologizing that mistakes were done during the border war from your side, but for taking concrete steps to redress the mistakes. On the other side our Government has never apologized neither to the Eritrean people nor to the Ethiopians

–    Clarifying that the coalition between the EPLF and the TPLF against the ELF was not a Tigrinya alliance, but was necessitated by self defense against the coalition between ELF and EPRP to attack TPLF and at the same time regretting the use of force, then.

–    Giving us a breathing space, bringing us together, helping us to build trust amongst ourselves; a trust that we lost due to our Government working day and night to sow divisions among us.

–    Showing us the way to forge a strong people to people relationship.

I would like to err on believing what I have heard, what I have seen, what I have experienced over the years than to err on not believing it. Now that we are coming close to National Conference for Democratic Change in Addis I call upon all skeptics to engage positively by participating and say their opinions there and see what is going on in Ethiopia. Then they would have more credibility when they express themselves, rather than sit in their ivory towers in Europe and the USA and profess judgments not based on facts. History is being made, be part of it.

Thank you so much.

aseye.asena@gmail.com

Review overview
74 COMMENTS
  • abdi October 5, 2011

    Oh thank them for letting you reopen your abandoned business looting eritreans,so make the most of it as you won’t have enough time before being kicked from addis ababa.

    • guest October 5, 2011

      Dear abdi,
      Would u go and write to website that no body care to read that is dehai, shabait or confused web site of meskerem, I think you have plenty of space.Where as assena let u write what ever u want but those websites even do not let you raise a different opinion other than praising your IA and his regime. At least u should be thankful for these websites and use them appropriately to defend your point, rather than posting articles from dehai which eugolize IA.

      • abdi October 5, 2011

        Please do not insult eritreans intelligence, You know very well sanctions affect the poor people more than gov,but u supported it to please the Agames regime. Anyway we expected that when you suddenly rose at the time when Eritrea was targeted by the whole world, but remember eritreans look at your movements as” hamemas nzey ketl yekHr” this is eritreans opinion.
        and you will not disrupt our unity nor economic progresses cos we are the gov’t and the gov’t is us.
        AWET NHAFASH N MERIHNNET N ISAYAS.

  • Tzeggai Y Deres October 5, 2011

    Dear Dr Mohamed khier,

    Thank you so much for extending a profound gratitude to the Ethiopian public and its governers for thier generosity and humility. And also I greatly salute your sense of purpose, leadership and courage in co- charing our conference with fairness and massive tolerance. The same appreciation will also be attributed to Madam Mihret Gebreyesus who displayed an excellent character in co – managing the lively discussion, debate and challenges. You were both brave and serious as loud tones were sometimes necessarily demanded. The whole process was unbelievably and excessively inspiring. Crossing the THE BLOOD STAINED RED ALARM OF FEAR was satifying. We shattered it, and this was followed by vivid elation of heart and mind of every participant. And it marked the begining of an ERA for transforming our nation, coording our country with its neighbours, and linking constructively with the external world with dignity and respect.

    Like you, I also admire the maturity, humulity and development of our hosts. Their courage, clarity, vision and respect was great. It was both reassuring and motivating. History was made. It was made with honour and mutual respect. I am positive that the professions, intellectuals and the well- learned participants of the uniquely significant conference will inform the general Eritrean public and others on the outcomes of joint efforts. Bless you all.

  • Khaled Abdu October 5, 2011

    Dear Dr. M.khier,
    I have read your article with utmost care and i can only say well said and i agree with you 100% on your analysis. It is a pleasure to have elder brothers like you who stand tall against all the evils.
    Well done doctor Mohammed Khier

    • ahmed Saleh October 5, 2011

      Dr. Mohamed Khier
      I appraciate your article to give us this information. Unfortunately sometimes we are kind of forced to be our own
      advocate. We need politicians, writers , intellectuals and others who have strong and noble believe of change for
      better Eritrea. Most of our people what they were thinking is good was what they had been told is good. Now
      we opened the door for truth to comeout. Like Dr. Mhmd everyone who participated on Eritreans National
      conferenences have responsibility to feed us back.
      Our ongoing hope our people will demand that Eritrea look at itself honestly. We will then pull ourself up
      out of this circumstances.Then once again ready for ongoing complexity of democrative life of future EITREA,
      honoring the ballance of power the government within its people .

  • mehari October 5, 2011

    It is sad and shame to read such article from some one so called intellectual. thanking the TPLF regime in Ethiopia. this is a clear undermine and hijacking of the just revolution. human right and democracy not only to Eritrean but also to our brothers in Ethiopia .TPLF is by no means better than PFDJ. dotere I recommend you to read the book “I Didn’t Do It for You: How the World Betrayed a Small African Nation” by Michela Wrong.

    you telling us that TPLF is doing this out of the sympathy toward Eritreans. you might tell that to the next Generation not to us who we have seen what the same regime has done to Eritreans. It is sad to witness history repeating itself.

    • ahmed Saleh October 6, 2011

      Mahari
      Why don’t they have sympathy to Eritreans after thousands of our youngsters died on that sensless war.
      Because as our neighbors they may feel the peoples pain. Don’t you follow the news about Eritrean refugges. At least in Ethiopia get some protection, I give them credit for that . Lets hatred leave behind look for the future.

      • etenena October 7, 2011

        Ahmed,

        The point here is are they really doing it for us?
        one thing the pfdj accused for, is their friendship with the TPLF against the jebha and as history has documented it they attacked jebha and waived the sovereignty of the area which became the flash point of the later war as it is known to the world. how can the Eritrean people be assured such things will never happen again?
        to me it seemed as if employing the Machiavellian ideology of “The end justifies the means” which could have a bad consequences

    • Temesgen Medhanie October 6, 2011

      mehari,

      Instead of relying on a certain Michela Wrong to assess the recent and distant past lives of the Eritrean people, why can’t you see it on your own as the Eritrean people are stuck in a dire strait. Moreover, I don’t see how the said reference on your part is any relevant to the issue at hand. Dr.Kheir is simply expressing his gratitude to the Ethiopian government as the latter extends its hand as Eritreans are exhausting ways in a bid to find a lasting solution to the ever predicament the Eritrean people find themselves in.

      When it is your prerogative to opine about the recent meeting of Eritrean intellectuals and professionals in Addis, it shouldn’t be a brainer to see the good gesture extended by the Ethiopian government when the latter provides a nest to the ever flooding Eritrean refugees to Ethiopia. Why is it incredibly difficult for you to see the damages perpetrated by Isaias on the Eritrean people instead of taking advantage when opportunities present themselves as the opportunities are grasping the essence of time and using events for the greater end. To be more precise, as much as politics is partially based on reciprocity, we should be keen in understanding the stakes as the present government in Ethiopia looks for ways to work with us as we try to own the future where it remains gloomy if we let opportunists pass us by.

  • sarah October 6, 2011

    Dr. Khier,
    Thank you for your well-put and thoughtful thread about the TPLFs unchanged stance in recognizing and helping Eritreans despite the fact that his government is highly criticized working for the interest of Eritrea and Eritreans more than his own people. The first thing an Ethiopian who opposes the meles regime ( especially those in the diaspora ) will tell you why he don’t like Meles is: b/c Meles landlocked Ethiopia. Eventhough it has been over 2 decades since independence, but none of the Ethiopian oppositions do recognize or use the new map of Ethiopia (with out Eritrea) in their websites still today.

    And as you said it well, Eritreans who their future is stolen in their own country are not just sheltered with dignity but attending schools from kindergarten to colleges and universities. This is truly something that Eritreans will never forget no matter what the wind of politics blows. Eritrean who were stranded in the deserts of Egypt, Libya, and the Mediterranean with no one to help were rescued by no one other than the TPLF gov’t..

    again thank you Dr
    and
    THANK YOU ETHIOPIA.

    • abdi October 6, 2011

      Really?

    • Wedi Zere October 6, 2011

      Dear Sister Sarah,

      Its well said and God bless you.
      ”A principle is only a principle when its consistently upheld even if there are political inconveniences”
      Does this sound familiar?YES.
      The mighty TPLF unlike the shifta regime in Asmara is always adhered to its principles even if it costs the power it enjoys today.PM Meles and other senior offcials made it clear boldly and in an unabiguous terms that the port of Assab is Eritrean and only to be followed by more assurances and pledges that shocked the Ethiopians.Case closed.Two years ago,Sebhat Nega (aka Aboy Sebhat) came out to renew a pledge and boldly express TPLF’s commitment to stand along the side of Eritrea if its independence and sovernity is threatened.These people are not only our neighbours but natural allies.The remains of those who sacrificed their lives for the independence of Eritrea on the trenches and Sahil mountains are ample witnesses for Tigrayans to be trusted allies and cousins.

  • Ahmed Grange October 6, 2011

    Mohmed Kair-kahir
    Hah, you tanked the tplf, right? good for you. Please, however, do not thank or mension ethiopia. Ethiopia nothing to do with your likes. of course meles is eritrean but not ethiopian

  • Kalu October 6, 2011

    It is sad when seeing and hearing from people appreciating and thanking to a person who is negotiating to put Eritrea on sale. In the 40s those who were leading actors to sell Eritrea and annex with Ethiopia were a highly educated people with level of education they had on their time. No white collar Laborer or peasant led the conspiracy in the 40s to put Eritrea under the yoke of colonialism. What is going on at this moment with people like “Dr” Kheir is similar with the past. There is a saying in Tigrinia, “Woo’ hijs e’nda sa’hak’ka yiwesdeka”, similarly people are laughing and appreciating to “Dr” Khier while he is leading them with colleagues to the cliff. I listened to “Dr” Kheir’s interview, I don’t think he has any clue what is going on in Eritrea. He sounds a lost person and remote from his society. It doesn’t mean mistakes made only by educated people, but the in reality power hunger is the motto of educated people.

  • truly, Truly i say to you October 6, 2011

    Abdi, you makes me really feel sorry?After i read how you hard try to convince us, as if a lot has done to build colleges,bridges, hospitals,dams and houses etc in Eritrea, your attempt it reminds me the Amharic saying “ኣባይን ያላየ ምንጭ ያደንቃል ( The wan who has not seen Nile he be impressing with a little source of water). Realy you brain is either manipulated by PFGJ propaganda, or you are appointed to brain washed others meek Pfdj cult worshipers like always. Man! What is a surprise if in 20 years, 25 Hospitals, 8 colleges,or 1000km roads if builted in nation level? My self inorder to convince you I will not try hard to explain you in a society I live how middle level individual person can build up let alone in 20 years even in 3 days. If I tried that you are not the one who is fool but i will be. Anyway in order you can to imagine and analyze about, i will leave you one simple example. Do you know for example in one highly developed nation let us say with 20,milion population the annual consumption they waste only for the toilet paper that it could be more than, if I not exaggerated 5 billion dollars. And with only 300 man power with in 20 days that they could able to build like as equal as like whole things in the city of Asmara has builted? Can you able to imagine and compare the consumption for toilet paper, how much bigger than it could be the general GDP of Eritrea? If your jungle rulers have statics in land at all? I guess it could be Eritreas 10 years GDP. Anyhow I don´t know why I am liking to speak about the theme that myself doesn´t know much about, but what can i do? you forced me. It is realy madness giving example Europian living standard to compare with Eritrea. In my view despite I am not agree with all Meles regime policy what they have regarding Eritrea, but i realy admire Woyanes about their all sides of achievements be it in politic social and economical aspect. Honestly,PFDJ even 2% doesn´twork What Woyane achieves. I would say even HGDEF as nation what they built is not comparable with one individual Ethiopian business man ( with Shek Ala Muddin atachivement). So Abdi, stop your bullshit and rubbish propaganda. You have to know those Milions of Eritrreans who residing in wealthy nations if they were allowed or have possibility to do what ever they like, what ever they study, what ever they learn our nation development could be 100 times greater than could be the current one. I assure you once again if HGDEF leaves us and our country every individual Eritrean that has a capacity even the poorest one atleast to build own house. May be the reachest individual one, all that you mentioned Bridges hospitals or schools too,if you like. HGDEF and worshipers like you are canser of our nation.

    • abdi October 6, 2011

      How do you measure achievements? Im not saying Eritrea is top economy,but its in the right direction,fair wealth distribution and ZERO deptthis has been achieved from its inside resources,good for ethiopians if they are doing well,but you forgot to mention Ethiopia is the 2nd aid rreceiver in the world and we all know where this aid goes,Ethiopia annually receives over $450ml from the USA,over £300ml from the UK and from many other donors,not to mention the cheap sale out of the huge fertile land to Arabs and Indians,despite this all still the Ethiopias living in the same standard of living which they had 20yrs ago, cos of unfair wealth distribution,ppl still suffering from a shortage of medics,education and denied their donors given aid and left starving to death.
      before admiring ayte meles,get off your comfort seat in Gihon hotel and visit the ethiopians who live out of tigray and how their living.

  • Wedi Zere October 6, 2011

    Dr Mohammed
    Thanks a lot for clarifying the issues surrounding Ethiopa that seems to puzzle our compatriots ever since the one mad man instigated a border war against our natural ally the TPLF.As a result of his massive blunder thousands of young people were mowed down from both sides and the destruction of properties were incaculable.If its the independence and sovernity of Eritrea that matter most for most of us,then who can be a good and trusted ally more than the TPLF.They didn’t only believe in it as a principle but they died for it on the Sahle mountains and trenches along side our patriots.The remains of those Tigrayan patriots that died for the independence of Eritrea which are found scattered all over Eritrea should be the most important reason for why we forge an alliance or a stronger bond with Ethiopians in general and the people of Tigray in particular.Afterall,Eritreans in general but the Tigres and Tigrignas in particular have a lot in common with our Tigrayan cousins.
    Regarding the ports, the brutal dictator and his apologists have been using the port card as a boogyman so that they continue to terrorize and kill our people but the truth is that PM Meles and all other officials have made it clear boldly and in unambiguous terms that Assab is Eritrean.Ethiopia has been so busy developing itself lately and if they can manage to do all these remarkable development without a port,then they have no reason to go to war to reclaim Assab but truly speaking if they would ignoring the international law,they definately could.Whether we believe it or not,Eritrea today is politically,economically and militarliy weak while diplomatically isolated and Ethiopia became the gaint of the horn. Besides,if we can be honest with our selves just once,we know that there was ABSOLUTELY NOTHING that Ethiopia wants from Eritrea other than the ports but now they have a lot of options which makes our ports less valuable.A big railway construction project is underway to connect Mekele with port Sudan which again makes our Massawa port less significan.So what does Eritrea want from Ethiopia? ////EVERYTHING//// EVERYTHING////EVERYTHING////EVERYTHING/////
    That is the reason why we need to live in peace with all our neighbours in general and Ethiopia in particular.
    Dr Mohammed,
    Thanks again and I take my hat off for you for standing on the side of your defenceless and voiceless people.Having you and your likes (unlike the few greedy acadamics like the Ghdeons and Tsegeza-abs who sold their soul to work or advocate for the most repressive and brutal regime in the world overlooking the pain,misery and tears of their people just to save a little villa in Eritrea but they should know that they are on the wrong side of HISTORY)on board in the fight to end tyranny and dictatorship gives a gleaming hope and assurance that our VICTORY is just around the corner.

    Democracy and Justice will prevail,

  • suzinino October 6, 2011

    Ata suzinino yelen diu ata
    Dotere enameseganalen feltika embiar amharina ketilikaya dr keyir ata keyir endo ata bandi ofa dr bigenzeb dika hizbi ethiopiawian ghion tezawiru
    keyir keyir keyir keyir
    saction ferimulu entayu sanction egeda nibandi neza godena bandi egeda
    yekenelnaaaaaaa
    higi grim higi grim higi grim fetawinan tselaenan atsebikna felitna ofa bandi keyireeee

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