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THE DICHOTOMY OF ERITREAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Ezana Sehay 05/20/2016 Amid the pernicious situation in the country; Eritreans inside and elsewhere in the world, nevertheless, are gearing to flood the streets in a mix of celebration and protest, to commemorate the 25th anniversary

Ezana Sehay 05/20/2016

Amid the pernicious situation in the country; Eritreans inside and elsewhere in the world, nevertheless, are gearing to flood the streets in a mix of celebration and protest, to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the country’s independence.

The anniversary which is both exhilarating and frustrating highlights the contrast between celebration and continued struggle: the growing gap between the people’s expectations and the reality of unfinished revolution.

The contrast

The dual commemoration reflects the rising tension between the regime along with its supports who are determine to maintain the status quo and those opposition activists who are calling for mass mobilization to demand for an immediate transfer of power to the people. The division is further aggravated by the political, economic and social perversions that are pushing the country in to uncertain future: as the reader is aware of, beneath the calm surface Eritrea remains chocked by qualms.

A quarter of a century after independence, the country is still dominated by an entrenched despotic system. The governing party is dominated by aging archaic individuals who represent a myopic and grudge philosophy, and amalgamated all the powers in the hand of one moribund individual: the emperor with no cloth on.

Evidently, the regime urged the people inside, to turn out to celebrate its (EPLF) role in achieving independence. That is understandable because that is the only positive political currency in its resume. Otherwise, its post independence policies have been one disaster after another to say the least. It has single handedly adulterated the once transformative and romantic sense of Eritrean nationalism.

It has been proven to be incapable of running a country. Its capacity to deliver basic goods, are paralyzed because of non-functioning economy. Its intransigent foreign policy has proven to be an exercise in futility

Eritreans, naturally, believed self determination and human rights as inalienable goals of the struggle for independence. They believed profoundly, democracy to be the ultimate goal; because despite its shortcomings, it is the last best hope of mankind. Unfortunately, PFDJ has proven to be antithetical to every democratic principle.

It has instituted draconian laws; which for all intent and purposes are a state of emergency decrees, which allow its security forces to act with impunity outside the normal court system. The regime is so sadistic and paranoid; it didn’t even hesitate to throw the stand bearers of the independence struggle [G-15] in to the gulag. Their crime: demonstrating a love of their country more than personal prestige. Among other things, they had called for ratification of the draft constitution, which was considered a prelude to engagement in democratic process and provide the basic parameters for haw the country should be governed.

Consequently, after 25 years of independence the people are struggling to redefine what that independence entails. Meanwhile, in the relentless pursuit of justice or attempt to spring away from the gravity of the PFDJ inflicted misery, Eritreans are paying enormous sacrifices.

Looking deeply in to the state of Eritrea, one can draw the metaphor and symbolism of an inescapable image of a fish in the water longing for a bird in the sky. The imagery and the context recalls the expression “neither fish nor fowl”. This expression basically refers to a state of tension and irresolvable.

This, then, is contemporary Eritrea, where the fervor of PFDJ commitment has been thoroughly discredited; where widely shared aspirations of freedom and democracy has been crushed; where Isayas has condemned the people to never ending misery; and where the spiritual foundation of Eritrean unity that was forged during the struggle for independence is suppressed.

This proves the PFDJ government has no cohesive, legitimizing narrative, nor a moral foundation to rule Eritrea. As a result Eritrea has become a country that is neither fish, flesh nor fowl.

A call to wise up

The Celebration is well deserved, but Eritreans need to pause for a break and think of the future. The protracted crisis, if not addressed quickly, will sink the country.

Sadly, Eritrean politics grows increasingly complicated as various factions interact as both allies and adversaries. To further complicate matters, the opposition is divided in their interpretation of the road map to the national salvation and the roles they see for themselves. It remains far from clear haw this complicated tug-of war will be resolved. They [the opposition groups] are dispersed and competing for ownership of the country’s future without laying down the foundation of a new democratic Eritrea or creating a balanced playing field for all the different stake holders. In essence, they are embarked on picking the fruits of the revolution before actually nurturing it to ensure a bountiful harvest.

The silver lining

People have different interpretations of the current Eritrean predicament. There are those [Eritreans and non-Eritreans], who consider the Eritrean independence as a cadmean victory. Others take it as half backed pie. Some see it as a glass half-empty. Me, I see it, a glass half-full with hope sprinkled over it.

The hope emanates from the recent positive developments in the opposition eco-system. Thanks to the indispensable role of web medias; the likes of, Assenna.com and patriotic artists like that of Kiros Asfeha, we are witnessing the youth come out of their barricades and assume their responsibility of pole bearers of the struggle for a just society.

Another auspicious development is the internal strain within the regime, especially the army. Apparently, members of the military, who are witnessing the daily suffering of their compatriots seem to have acquired social orientation and are beginning to scrutinize the regime. They are beginning to question their own sense of loyalty. Some say the Forto rebellion was the shot across the bow.

The people, who, for years have been distrustful of the army after years of being suppressed by it, have now restored their confidence in it. And hope, it would help to secure a democratic transition, though perhaps different from the opposition what that transition entails.

Ultimately, the victims [the people] themselves are the eventual emancipators. Be that as it may, no question, the alliance of the youth and the army would be the rock that will finally shake the PFDJ boat.

Let’s hope, the spirit of Eritreans past can remind the new generation, in a common drive to ensure that all the sacrifice is not in vain, work together in unison to drive the scourge that is PFDJ and ensure the realization of a democratic Eritrea.

Finally, remember, revolution is sometimes sluggish; It is going door-to-door and building from base, It is patience and fortitude, learning and trying daily. Nevertheless, is possible that, vision, tenacity and love of the people and the country will move Eritreans to forge alliance for justice and freedom.

The countervailing power of the people will prevail.

Happy Independence Day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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8 COMMENTS
  • Berhe Tensea May 23, 2016

    This independence day has only brought misery, pain and suffering, torture, prisons, hunger, and mass migration unseen in the history of the world, more than a million Eritrean are living outside the country.
    Eritrea is the only African country with no constitution and many Kangaroo courts,andhundreds of prisons.
    Eritreans are treated worse than animals by the PFDJ regime.
    People get what they deserve, people who are too hipocrites and with kand fail to stand up for what is right and with kneel down mentality will only keep suffering.
    As for me I am applying for a Sudanese nationality and forget about being Eritrean for good.

    • k.tewolde May 23, 2016

      Berhe hawey,don’t play into the hands of the tyrant, that is exactly what he want us to do- relinquish who we are. Ajoka!

      • Berhe Tensea May 23, 2016

        K tewelde,
        Thank you for your concern.

      • AHMED SALEH !!! May 23, 2016

        Brother Berhe
        We born alone , we die alone and face life circumstances alone . When
        fate plays you with wrong cards , play back to the maximum . It is the
        simplest alternative choice to surrender but by taking this decision
        we joined ill-wishers back stubbing attempts toward our people .
        I don’t think to retreat and to alienate will solve the problem even
        though it sound emotional reaction . Take the example of Eritreans
        who stand firm while the majority where supporting Issayas but at the
        end DELEYTI FITHI came for their rescue . Keep hope alive . ALEWUNA.

  • k.tewolde May 23, 2016

    That’s for sure, there is no instant gratification in a revolution, the road to achieving mass victory is excruciating, as in our case , I will say the bases are loaded, the batter is swinging and he/she is a few attempts away of connecting and bringing the runners home.All we have to do to accomplish this feat is adjust the mechanics of the swing. If we do’t do this adjustment,we will strikeout one more time again. I am not against celebration, I am a gregarious,party animal by nature,but every time I try to move a fiber of my muscle to the rhythm of the music, my grief stricken body betrays me reminding me of my brothers and sisters who are suffering at the cruel hands of HGDEF right this moment and those who perished running away from their suffocating iron rule.

  • Rora May 24, 2016

    “Another auspicious development is the internal strain within the regime, especially the army. Apparently, members of the military, who are witnessing the daily suffering of their compatriots seem to have acquired social orientation and are beginning to scrutinize the regime. They are beginning to question their own sense of loyalty. Some say the Forto rebellion was the shot across the bow.”

    Ezana Sehay

    I don’t think the above statement reflects the reality on the ground.
    The top brass of the Army, most of them corrupt Colonels and aging bloody Generals are very busy running own businesses, using unpaid (slave) labor of young ‘warsay’.
    They seem to be living in another planet, totally unconcerned about the plight of ordinary people who struggle to have a meal per day. They are least bothered about people’s complaint, as long as their ‘concessione’s produce enough agricultural products or trade activities bring them daily a huge cash.
    When Wedi Ali and his comrades, came to Forto, Sibhat Efrem was the main guy who was handling the situation on behalf of his boss, to turn the tide on the mutineers.
    He is said to Wedi Ali and others (paraphrasing) “We all want change and justice, this is not something one group can achieve alone … we are all in this … believe me, we are all with you, but this is not the right way to do it”.
    Meanwhile he was preparing around Asmara, all the necessary forces, to violently crash the rebellion. The Forto incident clearly showed, the Military will never hand over power to people peacefully. Many of those on higher ranks are people with criminal record, they have so much blood of innocent people on their hands (executions of young ‘warsay’ in the Army). It’s very sad and bad, but Eritrea is heading toward violence and unknown future, unless something is done to stop that from happening NOW.

  • Gobo May 24, 2016

    Berhe said, “As for me I am applying for a Sudanese nationality and forget about being Eritrean for good.”
    Sudanese? If one can take the free West’s nationality of Norway, Australia and the great blessed of USA, where even the Bin Ladens, Wahabi Saudis and their servants are voting with hands and feet to join the the great and formidable people of “infidels”, why would one like to join the cursed Omar al Bashirs and Turabis?

    • assenna May 25, 2016

      Dear Gobo, Teqera,
      God only knows what other nick names you might be using. But stick to one nick name and stop abusing this forum.
      Thank you,
      Assenna

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