Unfiltered Notes: There must be a better way to disagree
December 8, 2015 By Tewelde Stephanos (email: testifanos@gmail.com) Along with few friends, I make very modest monthly contributions to encourage the work demo.archive.assenna.com is doing. I do this with the spirit of “if I cannot
December 8, 2015 By Tewelde Stephanos (email: testifanos@gmail.com)
Along with few friends, I make very modest monthly contributions to encourage the work demo.archive.assenna.com is doing. I do this with the spirit of “if I cannot lead, at least I should support those who do”. And there is no doubt demo.archive.assenna.com has been relentless in the fight against the regime that is oppressing the Eritrean people.
Overall, assenna is doing a necessary job and deserves the support of all justice seekers. And that is why I will continue my modest support. But I do have my disagreements with some of its approaches and I feltthis recent article1, does not advance the cause of justice that demo.archive.assenna.com itself has been a central part of. For me,
1) 1) Succumbing to mockery and inflammatory language dis-empowers us all. We have been doing this for over half a century now and it hasn’t worked in our collective favor at all. As a result, Eritrea has lost its best people fighting against itself than against any other enemy. Isn’t it time to overcome this destructive culture?
2) 2) Ruling each other out only provides comfort to the regime we all claim to be fighting against. Why would we need over 30 political parties otherwise? Some are even rumored to have single digit membership.
3) 3) The tone with which we express our disagreements is crucial. The wrong tone, encourages more divisions and discourages those sitting on the fence from joining the struggle for justice.
“But what Amanuel said is the truth”, some may argue. As I heard someone wise say once though “if the truth is used as a sword”, what good is it? If we use “OUR truth” as a sword – and not as an instrument of enlightenment as it ought to be – all we will have left is a mess of bodies with severed limbs; unable to push off a feudal regime that should have been dead a long time ago.
Like many, I have my disappointments with those who cannot tame their unproductive egos. But I would much rather take my revenge with my vote later. For now, we need everyone to do their part – no matter how small – in ridding Eritrea of its worst enemy.
Some argue – plausibly – if we don’t weed out the bad apples now, what guarantees do we have they won’t come to power and mess things up again? If we continue to rule each other out with such speed as we have done so far, nothing. But hoping we have learned enough from half a century of petty infighting, there is a better way we can choose to adopt.
1) 1) Let’s cooperate now, even with those we don’t agree with, and make sure we vote later. This does not mean we don’t criticize each other now. But let’s do so without personalizing things or by resorting to inflammatory and condescending language as this piece did. Better to challenge ideas with better ideas.
2) 2) We have been shouting to point out the wrongs others are committing for over five decades. Unfortunately, that has not gotten us anywhere. We need to show why our way is better by example. If that is done consistently, people will hopefully remember it and cast their vote for you or buy your newspapers later.
3) 3) The objective should be to create a future Eritrea with leveled playing field where no one is above the law. If we truly stick to that, then it will be a battleground of ideas. That would be a huge success because people with better ideas will be more likely to win. If the ones with bad ideas win, it would have meant that we didn’t stand up against injustice together again. And history will have repeated itself, as it has for over half a century already. And the shame will be on all of us. Again.
Human life is the cheapest commodity in Eritrea today. Does such a country have a right to exist? Not until those who claim to be justice seekers start creating broad alliances that can speak with unified voice that can transform Eritrea into a place where human life is the most precious commodity instead.
At times, our ignorance (or is it callousness) knows no limits. I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Daniel Rezene recently. By far, I found him to very passionate about the cause of justice – intelligent, humble, articulate and uplifting. Yet, instead of embracing his inclusive message, it is sad to see some have succumbed to ugly ethnic divisiveness. For me, I can’t think of Eritrea without also thinking about Woldeab Woldemariam. Do we really not know our heritage?
The point I am trying to make here is similar to this blog from a year and half ago2 where Medrek and assena where at odds then as now. A year and half later, I was hoping we will have been wiser.
I hope, in its promised second piece, assenna’s tone will be better than the first.
2 http://unfilterednotes.blogspot.com/2014_04_01_archive.html
Fenkil December 9, 2015
Well Done My Friend , We need to enlarge the scope of opposition and as we enlarge it naturally we will have difference in opinions and that difference should be our source of strength not to trace pass Other rights to organize which ever way they want !!! Let us be civilized not intrude the very simple right to organize where ever one chooses !! By the oral and written article by Assenna the only organization satisfied is EPFDJ !!!! Let Disagree with modest attitude and tolerance provided our goal is to get rid our collective enemy and his cronies !!!!
Hagherawi December 9, 2015
“We need to show why our way is better by example.”
Tewelde Stephanos
That is the right way to handle disagreements.
Thank you brother.
Hagherawi December 9, 2015
It’s often said, that a wrong idea can be defeated only by a better idea. This is particularly true in current Eritrean context. Eritreans have no problem joining any political group as long as they feel it represents their ideals. But the hate culture of “us” versus “them” makes every major national issue, on which there should be consensus, a bone of contention, and in the end all are losers. It’s high time we stop unnecessary hate campaign and work to narrow our differences for the sake our common good.
That said, Medrek people, if they want win followers, need to be more open about what they want do with the regime, because the problem is not only Iseyas, but the system.
AHMED SALEH December 9, 2015
” we have been fighting each other for so long for no avail , now let’s
cooperate even if we engage in disagreement ” . Well said Tewelde .
Experience is lesson to learn .
Araya Debessay December 10, 2015
I wish I could see any positive contribution of the Nairobi, Medrek sponsored meeting of limited number of opposition parties. What will such non-inclusive secretive meeting accomplish?
The dire situation facing our country is a concern to all Eritreans. Any attempt to end the Eritrean Nightmare that does not provide space for all concerned Eritreans to play a role in ending the tenure of the dictatorial regime will not succeed. The Nairobi type of secretive meetings will end in more fragmentation and loss of hope of the Eritreans in the Diaspora. This state of affairs will only prolong the life of the dictatorial regime and the suffering of our people. We need to think in a broader context that will involve all the Eritreans in the Diaspora. The grassroots movement that will elect legitimate Global Leaders is the only answer. For the good of our country now and for its future success we need to pave the way for every Eritrean in the Diaspora to participate in liberating the country from the grip of the dictator who is ruing our country. The opposition parties should collaborate in supporting the grassroots movement so that they can realize their long delayed dream of actively participating in the country’s future by taking the time now to prepare their programs to win the hearts and minds of the Eritrean people who decide their future leaders.
tewelde December 10, 2015
Dear Dr. Araya
I share the frustration. But instead of writing them off, shouldn’t we pressure them to mend their ways? I agree that the lack of cooperation in the so-called opposition camp has prolonged the life of the regime but I would argue so has our predictable reaction to dismiss each other.
I also agree legitimate Global Leaders as you have been advocating is one critically necessary but missing link in the struggle. But when something is positioned as “the only answer”, I fear that we will continue to “throw away the baby with the bathwater”. My humble opinion is that instead of looking for a single answer, we should think in ANDs; i.e. A and B and C and D ….
To your questions “What will such non-inclusive secretive meeting accomplish?”, please see my amateurish 100 bricks response to Simon G.
tewelde
Simon G. December 10, 2015
Brothers Ahmed and Tewelde,
I hate to do that but I politely disagree with bot of you when it comes to medrek.
How do you expect these guys to help our cause? You don’t even know their activities. They never even acknowledged about their past mistakes (this is politely speaking). Forget about apology. There is huge lack of transparency. They even thrown the great Salih G. out of their meeting. This is after someone had invited him.
Let’s not be emotional. We should depend on real data. As of now, the data doesn’t look good. To me, these are bunch of crooks, to say the least. Don’t mix your wish/good intention with reality because they are not matching.
Always with respect.
tewelde December 10, 2015
Dear Simon G
Let me try a different approach. Say, the hgdef regime was made of 100 bricks. The self-destructive regime – thru arrogance, cruelty and incompetence – has destroyed 50 of them already (they have really been begging us to get rid of them but it is us who have refused to step up to the challenge). Some would argue the opposition camp, through endless infighting and divisiveness, has propped up the regime by rebuilding 20 of those bricks. But let’s be generous and say we have removed two bricks over 20 years. A dismal record for sure, but now we have 48 to go to dismantle the regime.
So far, we have been negating each other’s efforts but we need to multiply our efforts instead. So anyone who can remove a few of the remaining 48 bricks should be welcome. Not welcome to rule but welcome to accelerate the arrival of the day when Eritrea is ruled by law. It is not about trust as some are saying. Since blind trust is what got us here, we should never trust Medrek or anyone else. Trust should be earned instead — thus the vote.
How long do you think it will take us to remove the 48 bricks the way we have been going at it? If we don’t change our counter-productive culture, we may end up rebuilding the whole castle making it possible for any rascal to declare himself king. Saying someone is bad will not advance our cause. Showing by example why our way is better will.
tewelde
AHMED SALEH December 10, 2015
Brother Simon
When our politicians held public meetings we learned something new
whether positive or in negative manner . Better than hide behind
curtains that left us sidelined at illusion .
We experienced ups -downs from failed politics and I try to open
my eyes than repeat past mistakes to jump at barriers that may
cause obstacles for incoming forces of particular measure in respect our anticipated UNITY .
The whole point lies on needed efforts to break the wall of mistrust
and division among Eritreans in general . Compromise and patience can ease tensions among foes in political conflicts . For so long our
people fell victims of THEM verses US rhetoric and I think we must
get rid from ideas that failed the country .
Simon G. December 10, 2015
Respected brothers Ahmed and Tewelde,
It is very nice to disagree like this way. I consider it very civilized.
It is my nature to question everything, except your intelligence (if you allow me to borrow from one of the NPR programs).
My stand is that if many Tegadeltis has questioned Isyays during the liberation era, we wouldn’t fall into this kind of abyss.
Say, if these Medrek members were newbies, your comments are well suited. However, these guys had a baggage, they need to convince us. They could start with apology and Transparency. I don’t see either of that here.
Keep the UoA (University of Assenna that is) civilized and educational!
abrham December 10, 2015
tewelde hawna ezi tblo zeleka kulu haki equal entekone ezi nai Nairobi akeba gin mstraf keman yiwhdo.Nihseb emo yehwat an Jade ketema kelewu hanti metro nikdmit zeysegomu kab akmi sebom smom zibezih merahti wdbat hiznas hiji keazigedede miflilai zemistei Helen degeftu Helen nestegtu kab tinebrelu adi geshka akeba
Fenkil December 10, 2015
Dear Eritrean justice seeking Family we have to take our time before we pass judgment on others because this cause is not individual and our Enemy is well Finance and organized on its mission !!! I am not trying to lecture
how one can represent Idea for our collective goal which is rule of law in our beloved Country Eritrea !!! Before we go there how we conduct our self in a platform when individual and groups present their ideas in a public Forum .The Basic Right of Association with whom one feels compatible intellectually is both individual and collective right and must be respected !! If some do not like it they do not have to intrude they simply associate with their compatible and present a better Idea !! If some do not Like Medrek go to demo.archive.assenna.com there is a choice . We have limited sites to read and express our frustration on current situation in our Beloved Country and please Stop unnecessary war of Ideas on this limited resources !!! If you think you have something to criticize one email the Web site do not bring here because the Dictator and his cronies are the one that enjoy this !!! Let us show tolerance even if some group or individual shows some weakness in from them in other words let’s believe on our plurality in Ideas !! We need more opposition with diversified Idea !!! There will be time when our people have a right to choose then we can debate on ideas on civilized manner . We have a long way !!!
wedifre December 10, 2015
Thank you Tewolde for your wise comments.
Dear brothers and sisters, I think we need to see the half full glass than half empty.
For me the Nairobi conference is very positive for the following reasons:
1- It reduced 11 parties (some may be single digit) to one.
2- This is the first positive outcome of any conference since the last 15 years.
3- It is initiated by Eritreans for Eritreans.
4- The atmosphere was very good and all are convinced that either we unite and fight or Eritrea will be a history.
Hence, we should be able to capitalize this beginning and try to enrich this understanding by:
a- We need to think in a broader context that will involve all the Eritreans in the Diaspora
b- We need to forget X- was with HIGDEF and Y was Jebha. If we need to have people without having any connection to the present movements we need to wait another 15 -20 years until the 15 year old guys mature and take over because even the guys who had been in AGHELGHILOT has been with the regime too. We cannot use X- has been with HIGDEF as a criteria to like or hate individuals. Let us judge people with what they are doing now not what they have done yesterday!!!
Therefore, I kindly request all the Deleity Lewty to be cautious but not negative to the Nairobi conference.
towedeberhan weldedawit December 10, 2015
The problem is a question of trust and trust depends on history and transparency. Medrek has neither of them. We cannot take another risk.