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The struggle for unified resistance against dictatorship

The struggle for unified resistance against dictatorship By Fetsum Abraham//5/21/03 I dedicate this material to Ato Weldeab Weldemarian and Shek Ibrahim Sultan, the founding fathers of our unity who prioritized their Eritrean identity to their ethnicities and

The struggle for unified resistance against dictatorship

By Fetsum Abraham//5/21/03

I dedicate this material to Ato Weldeab Weldemarian and Shek Ibrahim Sultan, the founding fathers of our unity who prioritized their Eritrean identity to their ethnicities and religions, to install a unified struggle for the Eritrean independence. They practically left us the only means of social success through diversified unity that carried us all the way to independence and that SHOULD further take us to our freedom from dictatorship. Our struggle for independence followed their legacy to succeed and we should use it to earn our freedom. We don’t deserve freedom unless we love each other and united since division and ANNENET contradict the concept of freedom. We did not choose our ethnicities and religions after all; they are imposed on us out of our control. We are destined to be Eritreans and we should maximize our role to positively affect that desperate society without any attachment to our ethnicities and religions, which will die with our flesh few years ahead.

From the FORUM: It seems like my last article provoked an academic discussion especially between brothers Adhanom and Petros and I appreciate their intense involvement in the forum. I found the following transparent exchange of ideas important to the current priority at hand and enjoy it.

Petros: “Dear Fistum, With all honesty, I don’t understand what the entire article is all about  & and please elaborate what Unconditional Unity means to you and to the readers as well…”

Adhanom: ” Dear Petros, I think the article is very clear and instructive if we are able to read slowly and carefully. On my side, the core message of his article is explicit as crystal shell: We cannot be DEMOCRATS if we are not democratic in action, because true democracy is not a word or a normal codification. Even the ruling party in Eritrea, PFDJ has enshrined the concept of democracy calling his party People’s Front for DEMOCRACY and Justice, but in practice they are not democratic front. We must respect the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of Eritrea; and the future democratic and constitutional Eritrea must protect their rights. However, if we want to reach that level, what can we do? Struggling with UNITY OR FRAGMENTATION? I do believe that UNITY IS POWER FOR SWIFT CHANGE destroying division, hatred, envy, mistrust and conspiracy among ourselves.”

Me: How unclear can the self-descriptive precise expression “unconditional unity” be for one to philosophize on? There is no room for philosophy on the definite science “unconditional unity” and the backward Eritrean style of affirmation with negation or the vise versa by means of “if or but” does not apply here. “Unconditional unity” cannot accommodate if or but because doing so changes it to the opposite “conditional unity”. The question is:  are you for transitional government which requires unconditional unity or not? If the answer is yes, do not contradict your position by injecting if or but to the narrative: accept it fully and move on. What I mean is that 2+2=4 is a definite science that does not require philosophical analysis and so is “unconditional unity”, a scientific phenomenon that does not accommodate philosophy. The answer for “are you for unconditional unity?” is either yes or no and it stops there. If the first, you are for transitional government in post-Afwerki Eritrea and if the second, you are not. In so saying, conditional unity is far away from our immediate priority because it ought procedurally take place in post-Afwerki Eritrea under a transitional government where political parties harmonically diverge out of the unconditional unity that gets them there. The Constitution allows the harmonic diversion or conditional diversion of the forces into different political parties that guarantees the collective unity of every citizen in defense of the motherland in any emergency situations like how the Democratic and Republican parties function as Americans in the US.

No self nominated party or group can dominate others without breaching the essence of democracy in our situation. All parties should be looked at equally in view of the society and none of them should be respected more than another in the category because this is the requirement for uniting forces towards TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT. I think brother Petros is a member of one of them, which is good, unfortunately I cannot at this point consider his PARTY OR ORGANIZATION as different from the others in the resistance, if that is the case. The process of our independence required unconditional unity to succeed and that of our freedom and democracy requires unconditional unity of all forces to succeed. Similar to there was no other way to independence except unconditional unity, there is no exit for the Eritrean government from implementing the CONSTITUTION, so is there no exist for any individual or group in the opposite camp from UNCINDITIONAL UNITY towards a TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMENT.

In so stating, this postulate mathematically and conceptually equalizes the dictator and the fake individuals or groups in the category in view of democracy, meaning that an anti unity group or individual (at this critical moment) is as good a dictator as ours in Asmara. Petros has showed how well informed he was on similar issues elsewhere but they are all insignificant in so far as justifying the mentality of few anti-unity Eritreans is concerned, again at this moment in our history. Every individual society is unique in some ways and we should deal with ours properly, irrespective of what happened in other societies of the world. Therefore, no analysis or philosophy is necessary to unite and form a transitional government in Eritrea for this is not a new experience for us Eritreans who were as united as concrete in our journey for independence and through out our historically peaceful coexistence. It worked then and there is no reason why it cannot work today.

Petros on Sanction: “the punishment is going beyond the intended target, and it has the potential to harm the average Eritrean”

Kalighe: “Dear brother Petros; What exactly are you proposing so that sanctions do not harm the average Eritrean? Do you think there is a way to reach the people without putting the money in the hands of the brutal regime? or you want the sanctions to be lifted because it s harming the people ?. Can you please elaborate on this .. ?

Petros: Dear brother Kalighe, I am hoping the experts will engage intensely on finding a way to protect the citizen of Eritrea, and the nation in transition period,  & as the current trend stands, I see a disadvantaged Eritrea, since no one is trying to stop Ethiopia’s open and often undetected violations, here I am referring Eritrea as a country,  &. Sanctions and embargos can go very wrong -if for some reason one side is fully equipped, while the other is not. However I would suggest the involvement of more regional & International neutral actors in the Eritrean & Ethiopian affairs,  & this kind of approach should halt the potential crisis from harming the innocent citizens of Eritrea, and the nation at large,  & and also it will be able to maintain it s peace and stability in one hand, and it will force the tyrant to change its ways,

Me: We need to fight back with all means of fight including Sanction to change our situation. Petros’s point is clear in that Eritrea should not be restricted from arming itself when Ethiopia is allowed to do the opposite. Well, the solution for getting out of the Sanction is at the court of Mr. Afwerki who has so far refused peaceful coexistence with all of us in the region. The choices are limited and precise here:

 

A)   The regime cannot refuse peaceful coexistence with its neighbor (by refusing dialogue) and request lifting the SANCTION simultaneously. The regime’s homework in this regard is accepting dialogue for peace with Ethiopia or continue under Sanction because you cannot let a party that refuses to dialogue for peace arm itself for a potential war that its defiance may cause ahead.

B)   The regime cannot refuse peaceful coexistence with its people (through absolute dictatorship) and request lifting the SANCTION concurrently. The regime’s minimum homework in this regard is implementing the Constitution.

C)   Neither can it expect to get rid of the SANCTION by being the only country in the world that does not recognize the democratically elected Somalian government. Its refusal to recognize this legitimate government contrary to all nations in the world implies its active infatuation with the Al-Shabab at least spiritually if not materially (because of the Sanction). The sanction was mainly imposed because of Afwerki’s passionate attachment to the terrorist Al-Shabab and he has not changed his attitude yet and the proof is clear. He needs to recognize the Somalian government and stay away from his Al-Shabab for good in this regard to get out of the Sanction. I don’t think the IGAD will accept vigilant Eritrea before it recognizes the government of a member state Somalia, either, and it should not.

 

As for “the involvement of more regional & International neutral actors in the Eritrean & Ethiopian affairs” in order to avoid “worsening the situation of our people” theory, we need to first understand that our people are mostly dependent on their loved ones in Diaspora. The Diaspora is running the society’s economic survival, NOT THE REGIME. Therefore the Sanction as witnesses to date has no critical effect on the society’s survival.

An important point to share here is that there has already been a neutral International involvement from the onset and still on the go (the UN, AU, EU, IGAD, Journalists without Boarders, International Humanitarian groups, etc) and I have no idea how much more neutral involvement you are visualizing for this project. The regime did not change its nature with all the pressures applied internationally from neutral forces and I cannot see what else the international community is supposed to do here.

Petros Haile: Fistum, I just re read your article, since this particular writing is full of contradictions, and I may add, it defies logic and common sense … In one hand you totally destroy the ethnic and religious element, as if there is notomorrow, few sentence further, you talk about “unconditional Unity”, and at the beginning you seem to encourage by their past resistance record ..

Comment: There is no contradiction on the phrasing you cited and let me tell you why. My message clearly states that it is now necessary for any group affiliated with any sociopolitical or theological philosophy to accept unity as an equal member with equal significance to all others under an umbrella. Whatever they want to do with their ethnic or religious drive is their own business that should not concern the people at this moment in our historical situation. They have the right to be organized in their terms on their own but they should keep it within themselves for now because it would be premature otherwise. The moment is for unconditional unity not for accommodating their issues, which should take place in Post-Afwerki Eritrea under a transitional government through well-defined articles in an all-inclusive Constitution. If they cannot wait till then, the people have no choice except sidelining them by popular demand (the Diaspora, civic groups and other parties that may be genuinely working for a transitional government in the country).

My opinion on the so-called leaders that base their “struggle” on religion and ethnicity remains intact. They are opportunists that would first destroy their community in the process of using it to destroy other communities for their political power. These individuals would not hesitate selling their own community for power and money and should be rejected.

Petros: “… and of course, the tittle itself is scary, you seem to give us an ultimatum “Take it or leave it” … I wander if the little Issayas is on the making?

Response: I have no power to give the people an ultimatum but TRANSITIONAL GOVERNMNENT still remains to be the only road to democratic Eritrea. If you feel this pressure as something dictatorial, there is nothing I can do about it but the individuals who resist equality under a united front should rather be classified as “little Issayas” for there is no genuine reason for them to reject unity without aiming at political power without democratic process. Refusing to unite at this point in the journey is equivalent to being “little Isaias’ in my understanding. Truth, however, scares and hurts those who do not take it without contemplation: it should not scare if you are for real!!!

Petros: “Fistum, Call it Transitional or full fledged, or give it any other fancy name, The bottom line is the divided opposition has to come out clean from the dependent status, and must give up the Armed struggle strategy, or forcefully disarm by their host country, if regional crisis is to be avoided… This ought to be done before you begin the exploratory stage for Transitional Government discussions …”

Answer: I do not understand the “coming out clean” stuff and if I slightly do, they could not do it as of today. Therefore, a united CIVIC society in Diaspora should pressurize for whatever the phrasing implies. It is the absence of such a force in the struggle that is delaying the process of unification. Coming out clean is their business but imposing pressure to comply with the process of democracy, REJECTING THEM otherwise is our business. We cannot make their “coming out clean” a condition for unity and neither can we wait for them to do what you suggest but we can stand on our grounds and fight for the correct procedure to democracy. So does the logic apply to the armed units in the resistance: we can heavily dictate terms here challenging any force including Ethiopian tendency to arm some of them if we take care of our business of unification first. Our strength can neutralize Ethiopian involvement through intellectual confrontation backed by a solid Diaspora unity. Said involvement is therefore a derivative of our division that can only be reversed by our unconditional unity.

Adhanom: “Do the political strategies and agenda that the opposition parties have used bring change; and do they save our nation and our people? If the existing strategies are not working, what manners do you, Mr. Petros, think workable for Eritrea to speed up the process of liberation?”

Petros: “This is a sensible question, at least you are coming out of your box  & Again, the previous conferences held in Ethiopia has not produced the desired results, partly, due to the controlled and managed of the few organizers who were close affiliates to the Woyane cliques, and that is why you see many policies and political declarations that are very similar to that of the Ethiopian government positions, including the Ethnic Federalism position taken by EDA,  & don’t take me wrong I am not opposing the idea of Ethnic Federalism, I just want to show you the controlling and managing aspect of the host nation, not to mention the arming the insurgents to launch an attack , As Fistum often talks about the emerging Somali government and the potential for democratic rule, although they still have a long way to go ,  & but I think, we can learn a lot from them, from the relative democracy and transitional government in Somalia  & It came about when various factions aggressively participated in challenging every aspect of Somali’s political power and social order  & It involved from the regional warlords, religious based groups, to that of the concerted effort of regional and international power brokers  & In fact Ethiopia wised up after so many attempted & failed occupation, often unilaterally, to push for regional and international forces to involve in the Somalian affairs, including the many attempts of conferences held in Ethiopia and Kenya  & Mainly these two nations proved to be dis-honest brokers to be allowed to mediate on internal Somalian affairs  & finally, Djibouti was chosen to be a half way decent, and best situated place to form the transitional government in exile  & Once this transitional government was formed, and the question of the national army was entertained, and as the regional and international organizational mandate allows it, the Somalian army was on the making, with the help of Uganda, Burundi and on occasion Ethiopia  &. As you can see where I am going on this one, not necessary a carbon copy, but similar approach can be applied on Eritrean case, but again this is just a suggestion, it can be elaborated and may even be totally different proposal drafted by our intellectuals and experts.”

Comment: Great information from brother Petros on Somalian democracy that we can learn from as he suggests. His teaching clearly tells that there is a solution that can follow the Somalian prototype for successful democratic government in the country.

Adhanom: “Mr. Festum insisted: What is our prior national agenda? Is it uniting our efforts, minds and resources to save the nation removing the autocratic regime? Or factorizing the meager human and materials resources into sub national issues prioritizing the interest of a particular groups occupied by region,religion and ethnic tendencies? We must respect the ethnic, cultural and religious diversity of Eritrea; and the future democratic and constitutional Eritrea must protect their rights. However, if we want to reach that level, what can we do? Struggling with UNITY OR FRAGMENTATION? “

Petros: Petros detailed more on this subject and you can see it from his post related to the previous article, then said “ Your priority is messed up, these ethnic and religious groups are demanding, and you are telling us the future constitution will guarantee their rights ? That is not only condescending to these movements but very unrealistic, This kind of short sited political behavior will not take you any where”

Me: What else should protect them and all of us for that matter then except the future constitution of the country? I believe Adhanom’s view is realistic and the only solution for the subject on discussion. Genuine equality of all citizens guaranteed by the Constitution is the only medium of unity and respect for any ethnic or religious affiliated individuals in our diverse society. Any missing genuine concerns of any ethnic or religious group can be accommodated in the constitution through AMENDMENTS. What else can a diverse society do to equalize all its members beside this procedure? Is not this how diverse societies harmonize the relationship of their diversified members all over the world?

Adhanom: “ History confirms that this kind of sentiment or approach was/is destructive rather than constructive. In fact this can be best justified by the history of armed struggle, and the existing post independence political development which has produced nothing except hatred, mistrust, tension and division.”

Petros: “I  DISAGREE ! If we agree to the need and the legitimate reason for ethnic or religious groups to resist and challenge their oppressors,  & then this could be a good start for you and me to begin talking about how to solve the problem, or even better to discuss if there is an oppression on the basis of ethnic & religion exist,  &.. However, I don’t think you are denying the practices of deliberate or unintended practices of discrimination, or disadvantaged past to the Eritrea’s ethnic or religious communities, including the indiscriminate oppression towards the people of Eritrea in general,  & Although you seem to focus more on the negative symptoms, and the methods of the sectarian form of resistance, while you totally negate the reason why these sectarian movements resort to choose their preferred ways of struggle,  & To be honest with you, if you don’t recognize the historical and current practices of the Eritrean reality,  & there is no room for the sectarian groups to compromise, let alone to reconcile on the national agendas  & Dear Adhanom, once you come out of your captive and exclusionary mentality, then , only then together we can carve a common strategy, in which an army of ethnic, religious or even secular based armed resistance no longer necessary  & I strogly recommend you to read the series of Ahmed Raji, and other Eritrean intellectuals well researched documents  & You may be able to see Eritrea, and the question of self determination from a different perspective, I am hoping ?

Me: Although our society has relatively lived peacefully with all its diversions for ages and that our struggle for independence was the result of collective resistance of the people, there is no doubt that we have narrow minded people that accentuate division and discrimination in our society. This is, however, normal to any diversified society on the planet including the US. Genuine nationalism and education will certainly minimize the problem but it is impossible to put everyone in the society in the same frame of thinking: you can not force a hater to a lover. The Law takes care of any adverse action against any citizen based on ethnicity or religion and that is what we need to live together peacefully. We cannot change a person’s concept of existence but we can lawfully control one’s drive to hurt another based on the concept. We, however, need to investigate the society thoroughly as Petros indicated for all mishaps on the subject matter within our society and academically challenge it/them directly to be effective.

Adhanom: “It is not the real time to entertain with different models of political governance that can be developed through time determined by level of economy, political maturity, technological advancement, eional distribution, social cohesion, and enhancement of justice system.”

Petros:   “I DISAGREE ! You are dead wrong again, How could you be able to rule a country with out a political system, To develop a policy, to manage and administer, to enhance the bureaucracy or various institutions, political direction and its commands are vital, in fact they cannot do with out  & and you go figure, the role of political parties !”

Comment: In a democratic society, political parties are entitled to develop their national program (policies based on economy, foreign policy, social issues etc.) and compete with each other on them in view of the public. The political direction of the parties basically is limited to the differences they may have on their program to advance the nation forward by which they may win elections by convincing the public on. Entertaining a political model for future application within the principles of democracy is okay at this point in the Eritrean experience for those who focus to lead the nation ahead. This entertainment, however, should stay contained within the ambitious parties until the time comes for exposure during the period of democratic election after the transitional period is exhausted. I do not think Adhanom is wrong here as Petros indicated and I tend to agree with him completely.

I love you all and let us stick together without hesitation to save our society from hell!!

aseye.asena@gmail.com

Review overview
104 COMMENTS
  • Haile G. Tensae May 20, 2013

    Very good job.

  • marsa May 20, 2013

    brother festum,it is good to have a unified resistance but what are we going to do with those religious and ethnic based parts as a highlander born in gash how can i fight side by side with a part who thinks i do not belong to Gash or who is goiung to wipe me out once he get the power. Another concern is how am i going to fight side by side with a muslim brotherhood who do not believe my exsitance as a follower of another religion. you mentioned about our great fathers like Woldeab,Ibrahim Sultan etc. how they fought united against agressers but this is a different situation we are fighting against our own dictators {Eritreans trying to remove a corrupt Eritrean dictactor}. What is the common denominator to make us united with those ethnic and religious based parties, that is why the majority of Eritreans keep silent

    • belay nega May 21, 2013

      MARSA

      ” What is the common denominator to make us united with those ethnic and religious based parties, that is why the majority of Eritreans keep silent”

      Right question to the wrong person.
      Who cares if the non Eritrean KERNELIOS kicks you away from gash barka.
      Who cares if Friday [jimat] in Asmera turn to be like that in Addis Abeba
      As far as is hurting the president,any price is okay with brother FITSUM
      Anyway thanks for recognizing how far the president is usefully challenged,to keep Eritrea as a country.

    • Said May 21, 2013

      Well my friend either you are a lunatic or burn. stupid. don’t worry, Eritran they will not gonna hang you. unless you have made some serious crimes with the dictator, the people of.gash they have give you a refuge before without tham there will never be country . so call Eritea. don’t forget you the one gave it or sold it. to so cold Ethiopia you grand feather on the top of that you help the dictator. now you scared. all you want to be empowered. withe you or without you the dictator is gone. so get over it in help for better in Eritrea .united we stand .

      • Salim May 21, 2013

        Said,

        A Woyane dog like you doesn’t have the right to talk about buying and selling. You are a debre-zeit and hawassa prostitute.

        • Said May 21, 2013

          at least I didn’t help the woyane wadi afewreik to be on power.22 year u dead .know you call me woyane , how funny .remembers.you have a bead history. I never did. nore my ancestor if I tel u history and maybe pull your hair out.so I be nice .because I see you waking hard to repair that we Eritran kind people.if I gave a chance to dictator.why not you. dot ware.united we stand .

    • Said May 21, 2013

      Were do you get you’re information.if you think muslim.going to harem you .you better of withe the dictator. that way he can sales organs. remember he’s a Christian. does he not supposed sales organ you idiot.united to a victory. happy Independence Day you moron.

    • Adhanom May 21, 2013

      Dear Marsa,

      You have raised a potential question that we need to investigate very critically to develop a healthy unified resistance that opposition parties are not eager or mature enough to do so. Mr. Festum echoed a strong unified resistance against despotic regime. In my eyes it makes sense, because we have a lot of factors to be united against autocracy rather than divided or separated:

      1. The regime does not respect freedom of worship for both Christians and Muslims;
      2. The regime is not in favor of any particular ethnicity, as all ethnic groups are subject to oppression, though PIA is a Christian Highlander;
      3. The regime has no strong or acknowledged affiliation with specific region since all the oppositions are coming from all sides;
      4. The regime disrespects the interest, needs and aspiration of intellectuals, farmers, soldiers, business community and any ordinary citizen. It remains violent for each segment or class of the society;
      5. The regime fails to gain support from both young and old generation though there is a gradual change in the political perception of the old generation;
      6. The regime fails to bring both economic and political transformation which affects each household;
      7. The regime becomes more militant, hostile, oppressive and aggressive for each Eritrean no matter the origin, ethnicity, religion or region of the person;
      8. The regime blocks all the fundamental rights such as right to live independently; right for free movement; right for free worship; right for further education; right to speak freely; right to have assemblage or association, right to participate in the political affairs of the country etc;
      9. The regime fails to establish a peaceful coexistence with all neighboring countries which destroys our economy and throw our brothers and sister into meaningless war; and
      10. Most of Eritreans are aspirant to form a peaceful, united, prosperous and democratic state.

      Dear Marsa, all the above stated COMMON PROBLEMS should be able to form a practical unified resistance as far as we have well defined and identified national problems. We need a true unified resistance because our problems demands strong national responsibility, duty and obligation instead of resisting with the lines of ethnicity, religion or region.

      In fact this is the time we have to be united by the common problems that disrupts the life of each citizen though we need to respect the distinction and differences of religion, ethnicity, history or culture. This is we usually call “UNITY WITHIN DIVERSITY”. But our diversity should not paralyze our struggle for justice.

      The current challenge that we have is attempting to solve the national problem with crumbled political parties which have no enough capacity,harmony and solid national agenda to mobilize and organize the mass. Therefore, the importance of having a workable UNIFIED RESISTANCE against despotic regime could bring fast and meaningful political transformation in Eritrea.

      • Salim May 21, 2013

        You sound like a stupid Woyane cadre. AQlKa Sebibuka alo::

      • belay nega May 21, 2013

        ADHANOM

        Eritrea is one of the countries in which SUNDAY and FRIDAY are celebrated peacefully.

        • Adhanom May 22, 2013

          Dear brother,

          Can you elaborate the comment so that I can understand it precisely?

          Thank you!!

          Adhanom

          • belay nega May 22, 2013

            ADHANOM

            “1. The regime does not respect freedom of worship for both Christians and Muslims;”

            My answer was for the above statement.

      • Asmara2 May 21, 2013

        Dude,

        ummmm, which regime of which country are you talking about?

        It always feels and sounds like these fools are characters from some kind of science fiction, with an imaginary country and an imaginary regime. When do you fools wake up from your day dream?

        On a different note, here is the mystery question. If you fools:
        – Start to think and act like Eritreans
        – If you start to make Eritrea and the Eritrean people first
        – If you can manage to unify the Eritrean people, Christian, Muslim or pagan
        – If you stand for the sovereignty of Eritrea
        – If you stand for justice
        – If you stand along your people against foreign aggression
        – If you stop kissing woyanies Ass

        THEN, IT MEANS YOU BECAME HGDF!! hurray!!
        THEN IT MEANS YOU BECAME PART OF THE “HAGERAWIAN”!
        THEN IT MEANS, YOU BECOME TRUE ERITRANS, TRUE TO THEMSELVES AND TRUE TO OUR NATION!!
        But, hold on a second. If you can do all that, then the question comes, WHY THE HELL ARE YOU TRYING TO OPPOSE THE ERITREAN GOVERNMENT THEN?? WHY WOULD DO YOU HAVE TO OPPOSE FOR THE SAKE OF OPPOSING THEN?

        Simple logic.

    • Kalighe May 21, 2013

      “as a highlander born in gash how can i fight side by side with a part who thinks i do not belong to Gash or who is goiung to wipe me out once he get the power.”

      marsa

      Dear Martha,

      A few hundred years ago, people in the lands that today we call Eritrea, moved from one place to another freely without causing and social tension or communal conflict. That is how some people moved from Akeleguzai to Sahel and became part of the society there. But in recent years, in post independence Eritrea, the government (Higdef) is engaged in social engineering and the result is what we see today (ethnic based resistance). They displaced the Kumana from their ancestral land, kept the Bani Amer away from their land (they are living in Sudan), resettled Highlanders in Gash and Barka, forced resettlement of different communities (ex-refugees who returned from Sudan) in Gash and Barka, …etc, the list is long. The worst part is, they have been renaming a lot of localities, as if the indigenous names are worthless. This is a big insult to the culture of the local people. This is not say that you cannot live in Gash, but you are not allowed to take someelse’s land, even if it’s pastoralists tribal lands, give it a new name and settle there. If this is done in Seraye or elsewhere I Kebesa for that matter, I am sure you can guess what will happen. In Eritrea there is no land that belongs to nobody. Even the so-called ‘Demaniale’ in the lowlands belongs to tribes. The fact that the Italians confiscated it, doesn’t make it legal for a national government to continue the policy of expropriation.
      If we want to live in peace, as we did for centuries, we have to respect, the laws of the land and the tradition of the people everywhere. Any one moving to another area to settle, can have a plot of land in city for residential purpose anywhere in Eritrea. If you were born in a village, and you have been there for generations then you have the same rights as the locals. But if you are looking for land in rural area that Higdef is illegally distributing then that practice will no be tolerated in future when owners come back. Everywhere, rural lands belong to indigenous people, cities that can incorporate more land every few years, through proper laws, should be where the Eritrean melting pot should established. There are no problems that cannot be solved as long as we keep everyone’s interest at heart.

      • Said May 21, 2013

        Great man that’s how were so call Eritrean . teach those morons. they not listening I think . how hard will be united we stand. we done it before and we’re going to do it again United.

      • Salim May 21, 2013

        “The worst part is, they have been renaming a lot of localities, as if the indigenous names are worthless. ”

        Germany remains Germany when you call it ALMANYA. I don’t understand your oversensitivity. Get rid of your racist attitudes. It is not good for your health.

  • Asmara2 May 20, 2013

    “…..The regime cannot refuse peaceful coexistence with its neighbor (by refusing dialogue)…
    . The regime’s homework in this regard is accepting dialogue for peace with Ethiopia or continue under Sanction because you cannot let a party that refuses to dialogue for peace arm itself for a potential war that its defiance may cause ahead…….”

    Why are people here allowing this idiot to insult the inteligence of the Eritrean people?

  • Asmara2 May 20, 2013

    Why is this idiot getting a free pass to promote Woyanie’s injustice?

  • Asmara2 May 20, 2013

    At other times he said,

    “…..Ethiopians are ready to give us Badme because they know they must give it up eventually but we need to talk with them about it (not about its ownership but on how it gets home peacefully). ……”

    Again, why is this idiot allowed to insult the Eritrean people?

    How on earth are people here giving a free pass to promote woyanies agenda?

  • Asmara2 May 20, 2013

    Again, according to this idiot, Woyanie are craping on Eritrean soil for 13 years and counting, just because they wanted handing ceremony?

    How low does this idiot regard the intelligence of the Eritrean people?

    Again, why is this idiot, spitting on our face?

    Again, why is this idiot getting away with disrespecting us and insulting the Eritrean people?

    • MightyEmbasoyra May 21, 2013

      Asmara2,
      You are an ignorant person indeed. Don’t try to bully people here. This is not Eritrea.
      By the way, people who are supporting are the ones should be called Woyane. I will give you two reason why:
      1) The biggest Woyane is your boss – isayas and you are following him
      2) Objecting to isayas is not equal objecting to Eritrea – try to separate these two completely different items.
      Stop calling people “idiots” – while we can all see your are the biggest idiot.

      • Asmara2 May 21, 2013

        Lol, before I promote you to that “Idiot” position, let us assume you are smart and true enough first, and then disproof it and lower you to where you belong – depending on your answer, that is , ok?

        You said

        “…1) The biggest Woyane is your boss – isayas and you are following him…”

        I am assuming you came up with that silly sentence because you believe (or want to believe) the Honorable President is originally from Tigray, right? Leaving the truthfulness of that aside, let us focus on the Woyanie part.

        You see, Woyanie and Tigrayan are two different things. Woyanie is a junta from Tigray currently ruling Ethiopia and also craping on our back yard, While Tigrayans are Ethiopians to the south of Eritrea. All Woyanies are from Tigray, while all tigrayans are not Woyanie. Woyanie is number 1 Eritrea’s enemy, while the people of Tigray are our close neighbors and decent people, who are related to Eritreans in so many ways. You can even call them friends of Eritrea, under different circumstance. Compende?

        LOSER!

        2) “…Objecting to isayas is not equal objecting to Eritrea…..”
        Very true! I am impressed this could come out from this Idiot-land.

        So, allow me to test you with the same questions I was throwing at this forum regarding Funny hat’s (Your uncle – the Idiot Fitsum) irresponsible comments regarding the border issue

        Funny hat repeatedly said this :

        “…..Ethiopians are ready to give us Badme because they know they must give it up eventually but we need to talk with them about it (not about its ownership but on how it gets home peacefully). ……”

        “…..The regime cannot refuse peaceful coexistence with its neighbor (by refusing dialogue)…
        . The regime’s homework in this regard is accepting dialogue for peace with Ethiopia or continues under Sanction because you cannot let a party that refuses to dialogue for peace arm itself for a potential war that its defiance may cause ahead…….”
        …”

        This implies the only reason for Woyanie’s military presence on Eritrean soil (For 13 years and counting) is just because we did not want to sit for a “BADME HANDING CEROMONY”

        I say this is an INSULT to the Eritrean people and shows a low regard for their intelligence.

        The border issue is an Eritrean issue and not President Issayases issue. Right? And the whole world knows that:
        – We could not solve the border skirmish on our own, by dialogue in 1997
        – This developed into all-out war
        – But the war did not solve the problem (War never solves problems – that is why, with the leadership of the government we finalized our independence through referendum). We also know this because we settled our dispute with Yemen through mediation and court of law.
        – Finally we agreed for mediation by an international court of law (The right thing to do). We sat to gather and did the required “DIALOGUE” and agreed to be governed by the FINAL AND BINDING verdict.
        – Eritrea (The Eritrean people, the Eritrean government and the Honorable President) accepted the ruling, as they should, while woyanie is refusing to abide by law.
        – Woyanie’s MILITARRY existence on our soil is therefore a violation of Eritrean sovereignty. And has nothing to do with President Issayas! This is about JUSTICE.
        So back to you and to the question I was presenting to this forum
        Do you agree with the above fact?
        Why are people here (You included) allowing this idiot (Fitsum) to insult the intelligence of the Eritrean people?

        • Asmara2 May 21, 2013

          By the way Funny hat also said “….accepting dialogue for peace with Ethiopia or continues under Sanction…..”

          But we know the sanction has nothing to do with the border issue we have with Woyanie (Not officially, at least).

          You see how twisted he is? This dude is so fake and so detached from reality.
          See, I did not give him labels undeservedly.

          • MightyEmbasoyra May 21, 2013

            The only credit I give is that your English command is very good. Beyond that, you are clueless.
            1) Who started the war? Your big boss (please stop saying President because no one elected him). What do you say to that? Why didn’t you confront him on why he started the war while he was telling us here in the wes otherwise?
            2) Now that he lost the war, he is using Badme as excuse to hold to his power. He never care about Eritrea and he never will. By the way, do you know that Eritrea has lost more land than Ethiopia? Compare to what we have lost, Badme is considerably small. However, Badme is still Eritrea’s. It is already demarcated as Eritrea’s – in case you are not aware of it.
            3) Besides, your big boss already told you (so many times) that there is no border issue – it is done. Why don’t you ask him – what are you talking about? He would explain to you. How? By dumping you on one of the many underground prisons.

            4) Ethiopia is doing its job while we are going backward. Why is your boss excuse the Badme issue (while he is contradicting himself by saying no border issue) for not doing anything for Eritrea? Simple – he doesn’t care about Eritrea, at all.

            5) I can see you are one of those riffraffs that think they care about the country – while sitting in the west with a luxury life (relatively speaking – compared to the people still reside in Eritrea). What are you doing to help to Eritrea and its people? I am not even sure if you are doing any good to your host country.
            6) Why do you think people are getting out of eritrea, by the thousands? It is your stupid boss’s fault. Don’t tell me that they are on vacation.
            7) Why did we lose the war to begin with? It is your boss’s fault. He is responsible for that – if you have the brain to comprehend?

            As of now, Eritrea belongs to isayas – it is like the country is his company and he is taking it to bankruptcy.

            Please, stop trying to lecture us about nonsense things. You are the one who tries to undermine the people of Eritrea’s intellect. We know better, most of us (excluding the ignorant people like you and alike – dead while they are still alive)

          • Asmara2 May 21, 2013

            Wey shekortet, abiet Inkilalo!
            Mr. Mighty,
            So, you too suffer from lack of focus, don’t you? Or perhaps you are naturally twisted. In any case, just to remind you, we started with the two points of your previous comment. Very focused as I am, and detail oriented as I am, addressed them religiously, so to speak. And what did you do? You just went into this frenzy hallucinating and ጠራዕራዕ (oops, I know few people who love SHEKORTET AND ጠራዕራዕ – but no names, ok?) – which, I take is a typical character of the cheat and one who is used to lying and deceiving (Woyanie style). And you ignored or forgot your starting point and ended up with million point list containing unrelated stuff.
            See, the question I presented regarding funny hat is still at large. But, who am I kidding!

            AND NOW we are back to my first sentence: and crowning you with your label. I don’t break promise, you know?

            “…before I promote you to that “Idiot” position, let us assume you are smart and true enough first, and then disproof it and lower you to where you belong – depending on your answer, that is , ok?….”

            Nah! Who am I kidding! This is the “menaharia” of Idiots. If one is interested in the business of “Mining Idiots” then this forum is where one should come.

            Actually, I take that back. “Idiots” is not the right description for you. Actually that would be a complement. There should be other name for people who are so twisted, full of hatred, vendetta driven, irrational and emotionally charged, self and country haters, people with chronic subordination tendencies (To Woyanie! My goodness, of all the people in the world!)

            Can anyone come up with a short description of that? Nah! I am just playing with you…

          • MightyEmbasoyra May 21, 2013

            Asmara2,
            If you reread it (may be many times) on what your last comment, it describes YOU very well.
            Pay attention on Eritrea’s issues – forget about woyane. Why do you care about them. If they have problem, it is theirs. Let’s concentrate on ours.
            I don’t have much time to waste on you and alike.
            By the way, this is concerned citizens forum, unlike what you have labeled us. Actually, you just repeated what your boss was saying for long. Your guys have swallowed repeaters (if you understand what tech term for it).

          • Asmara2 May 21, 2013

            Mighty,

            “….Pay attention on Eritrea’s issues – forget about woyane. Why do you care about them. If they have problem, it is theirs. Let’s concentrate on ours…”

            Is this supposed to be a smart answer now? You are simply hopeless!

            The border issue, the violation of our sovereignty by Woyanie, all the injustice that seem to revolve around that, all that IS NOT ERITREAN ISSUE to you? huh?

            And by the way, I just gave you the benefit of doubt, otherwise I had that nagging feeling that I might not be talking to an Eritrean. Was I talking to an Eritrean?

            Anyway, next time know your level, ok?

          • Salim May 21, 2013

            “Ethiopia is doing its job while we are going backward. ”

            I thought you were Eritrean.

          • MightyEmbasoyra May 21, 2013

            Asmara2
            Know my level? You are correct? I lowered my level by arguing with you.
            The point is that Woyane is sitting on our land – what you going to do about that? Removing them by force? Yeah right. Those people who could do that, Your boss already killed or imprisoned or making them flee from Eritrea. Now, what is your option?

            Until when are you going to follow the dictator? By the way, use your brain. These has been told before my your master, many times. You are just repeating the non sense stuff, again and again.
            By the way, you are talking to an Eritrean (by father and mother). Are you?

            If your write very English doesn’t make you an educated person by the way? There are many native speakers but as idiot as you.

            Don’t try to bully here – it is not going to work.

            By the way, your boss in cahoots with woyane – it is not what you think at all.
            Eritrea is sandwiched by Woyanes on their side and your idiot boss on our side. And you think you are smart? Grow up.
            isayas is working for Woyane. If you don’t believe me, why don’t you ask him?

  • NEW HOPE ERITREA May 21, 2013

    ¨LIFE IN ETHIOPIA IS BORING & NORMAL¨

    Ethiopians live in houses & huts on the ground..go to school go to work & mostly elderly speak of cultural & remenecing of old times..usually at church & mosque compounds..listenning to birds singing & outside romantic young people telling sweet nothings.
    IN COMPARISON ,IN OUR COUNTRY, ERITREA.. PEOPLE LIVE ABOVE GROUND & UNDERGROUND…IN A BRICK HOUSE & METAL CONTAINER SAUNAS.THE ELDERLY HAVE KLASHIN COVES & PLAN HOW TO DEFENED AGAINST WOYANE OR CIA INVASION..
    .YOUNG PEOPLE FIND GETTING MARRIED BORING THEY ¨VOLUNTEER¨TO GET OLD & DIE/MARTYRED IN TRENCHES…SUNDAYS IS SPECIAL DAY ..THAT PARENTS WITH THEIR CHILDREN GO VISIT PEOPLE THAT LIVE IN PRISONS…BUT DO NOT EVEN GET TO SEE THEM…UNIVERSITY STUDENTS FIND IT VERY BORING & DEPRESSING TO GO TO UNIVERSITY THAT NEVER EXISTS THEY WAIT UNTIL ANOTHER..SURPRISE..,SURPRISE..THE FUN ¨giffa¨ COMES TO TAKE THEM TO A FRONT LINE. THE ERITREAN ARMY CARES ABOUT IT´S CHOLESTEROL ONLY EATS BOILED LENTILS WITHOUT OIL…

    Let us see if Ethiopia can top this. We are celebrating in manchester,,bay area..& all over the world in respect of our martyrs that brought us all this blessings.
    ኣጆኹም ደቂ ኤረ፣ ከምዚ ዝኣመሰለ ነጻነት እንተዘይተባዒሉሉ ድኣ__ከመይ ዝኣመሰለ ነጻነት ክብዓለሉ ።ደቂ ኤረይ እምባሕ ጥራይ ንበል__ደርቦ__ኣቱም ሲናይ ዘለኹም ኣጣቕዑ።ኣቲ ናይ ኮሎኔላት መጻወቲ ኴንኪ ዘለኺ__ኣይትሙቱ በልዮም__ሳላ ጀጋኑና ዝመጸ__ኣብ ትሕቲ መሬት ተኣሲርኩም ኣብ ኮንቴይነር ትሞቱ ዘለኹም ትኽስ ኣይትበሉ።እዚ ሽሻይ እዚ ከይሓልፈኩም__ተኣለያ ኣደይ ዓባይ__እስከ በልወን።ኣነስ ከም ደቂ ዓድና ልብን ሕልናን ዘለዎ ዶ ይህሉ___ወጋሕ ትበል ለይቲ__እምበሕ ጥራይ ዘይኮነስ ዉሕ ዉሕ ውን በል ወዲ ኤረ ጻዕዳ።

  • Zaul May 21, 2013

    Unity now or Violent Separation later? The choice should not be that difficult.

    • Said May 21, 2013

      The zinst youtrying infiltrated withe Eritrean, do u asked. the President of Israel . did he tel you to dot this . I’m sorry to tell you this but we don’t have israle in Eritrea. how much organ de you bay .ab salb you know that’s an insult theChristian people.

      • Zaul May 21, 2013

        1 Shekel and they told me where you live :-).

        “Ab Selab” used as in greeting, word of surprise, in vowing etc.

        • Said May 21, 2013

          You see I told that you not Eritrean. in case you don’t know we bless in languages. I could be really nasty about it. thank you for trying to create problems. Muslim and Christian we are united take it or leave it. get over it and get out of our website. you moron. and thank you for knowing where I live, you idiott I don’t live in Tel Aviv.I lit mr. Abraham. take over from here.

    • Said May 21, 2013

      If you’re.mother if Christianand your dad is the Muslim. who do u kill first , you’re father or you’re mather. I don’t think you know Eritran, my friends that is maybe in your fantasy land I’m speaking to what language you understand I might be able to make you understand.

      • Zaul May 21, 2013

        I really don’t want to take up space from this important discussion, but I can’t resist Said’s question. Said you and I are probably related (6 generations x 25 years). All I want to say to you is, it should be possible to have a christian father and a muslim mother also (We don’t have to kill our parents, wey gud). Ab Selab has a deeper meaning than you think (it’s not as in Selib, meaning cross). It’s an expression used by people who share the same heritage, both christans and muslims among Blin,Tigre and Tigrinya in Eritrea.

        Furthermore, anybody can believe in whatever God they want to, as long as they keep it a private matter. There should not be any Islamic or Christan political parties in Eritrea because it would be hard to keep these kind of politicians accountable for anything, all they would have to do is hold up their holy in their right hand and shut down criticism and with their left hand steal and Oppress. It will burn down this fragile nation into ashes. The Same goes for ethnic parties, we have to vote for character and content not surface.

        It’s more important to provide for people’s basic needs, like peace, clean water, 3 meals per day, quality education, affordable heathcare etc. Whether you go to heaven or not is between you and your God.

        Shalom Ya’akhi 😉

  • Zaul May 21, 2013

    The state of Eritreans political outlook
    Wednesday, 02 November 2011 18:54 Tedros Abraham Tsegay

    http://asmarino.com/articles/1236-the-state-of-eritreans-political-outlook

  • Zeray May 21, 2013

    Brother Fetsum

    I have a high admiration for you at your approach and your educated analysis,but please elaborate the following for me. “Unconditional unity” would create one unit, if that is the case where is the room for diversity and tolerance to get there? If it is unconditional then that by definition brings it to the dictatorial level. Democracy I believe is a messy process but you don’t seem to give room for this process to achieve it. Can you elaborate?

    Again, thank you for your articles and I believe they are helping us to think outside the box.

    • fetsum abraham May 21, 2013

      dear zerai; unconditional unity is only to form the transitional government not the elected eritrean government through democracy. they unite today with all their differences intact only and work under a united front that would be the transitional or temporary gov. in post afwerki eritrea and then they separate to their individual parties during the transitional period (2-4 years) and then they compete for power through election. period.

      • Said May 21, 2013

        thats whats we preaching.Mr. Abraham thank u for mike in it very simple. they cannot understand that, I do know what .united against dictator.

      • Salim May 21, 2013

        Mr Abraham,

        You have to visit Eritrea. Then you will stop thinking in terms of experiments. Our beloved Eritrea is not a guinea pig.

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