Voice of Asena 2011-09-23: Impressions of Addis Ababa meeting participants
Eritrean intellectuals and professionals who met in Addis Ababa from 5-10 September 2011, to discuss some of the critical issues that are relevant to Eritrea’s current political crises tell Radio Assenna of their satisfaction with
Eritrean intellectuals and professionals who met in Addis Ababa from 5-10 September 2011, to discuss some of the critical issues that are relevant to Eritrea’s current political crises tell Radio Assenna of their satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting. Participants Mr Berhane Gebrenegus from the US; Mr Tsegay Yohannes and Mr Pertos Be’atay both from London, UK; Mehammed Saleh Jaber from Sudan are featured in this programme to share their impression with Assenna ‘s listeners.
Temesgen Medhanie September 24, 2011
I will have to digress for a bit. The much anticipated speech has already come to pass where most of us were left with a mixed feelings. As the beaten and worn out looking Isaias took the podium, I personally thought, we would be there for a long ride as I prepared my snack that would get me through his lengthy diatribe and ranting at the world in general and the Western establishment in particular. However, in a partial reversal of events, Isaias skimmed over several issues where he sidelined the internal turmoil in Eritrea and his destructive policy in the region as well. Instead he eased up his otherwise vitriolic bravado where he tarnishes Western powers particularly the US in yesteryears as he seems to understand his unfortunate situation where he finds himself out in the cold. As much as he commended the uprising of the oppressed people in North Africa and the Middle East, the spectators at the UN couldn’t help it but to look at him with a smirk in their face as they are reminded by the ugly reality in Eritrea as bona fide Eritreans are languishing in prison; freedom of press and speech is curtailed; the Constitution is indefinitely stalled; Eritreans are struggling to make ends meet as prices are way over the roof; the productive segment of the society is either leaving the country or trenched in a military service ad infinitum; religious prosecution is rampant and corruption at the highest echelon of the military is despicable.
As he maintains a straight face when he tells the world body that, their sarcastic look doesn’t mean much, he has one absolute fact in his mind. That is, he is absolutely convinced that, the Eritrean people will never and ever rise up in unison against him no matter what he violates their God given rights; no matter what he renders their lives much worse than the previous day. Isaias is convinced that, the Eritrean people have handed him a license to abuse them; play with their lives and mock them as onlookers watch on a world podium. Isaias seems to have saved his vigour for Sunday as he looks forward to screw over true-believers-turned zombies where the cameras of Eri-TV zoom in to report back to Eritrea as Isaias is taken for a leader who was begged by Western powers to come to New York not to make a speech but to give a lecture to world leaders on how to run their respective nations. The true-believers-turned-zombies are flocking to New York to put a garland on Isaias’ neck as DiruE loses his eye sight in a prison cell; as Joshua takes his own life; as General Oqbe Abraha dies of asthma; as Aster dies in an utter hopelessness; as Sherifo dies in a rat infested cell; as Dawit Isaac is on a verge of losing his mind.
Of a note, interestingly enough, Isaias finishes his speech with a plea to the UN body to pressure Ethiopia to abide by the final and binding verdict that stipulates for Ethiopia to withdraw from Bad’me. As much as his erstwhile speeches were dominated with the border issue, this time around however, he put it in a passing remark where the spectators are left with the impression that, either Isaias has finally realized that he is left with no option but to sit with Ethiopia for a dialogue or he is given up on his attempt to plea to the world to pressure Ethiopia to abide by the verdict. It is remained to be seen as time is the hidden factor.
abdi September 24, 2011
You are absolutely right we Eritreans will never and ever rise up in unison against him no matter what he violates our God given rights; no matter what he renders our lives cos he is our father, brother, and son
and now one rises up against his/er beloved brother, father or son.so save ur breathe.
And the lecture was the one and the most world leaders need.so we will be with him and for him.
long live for our Kubur PIA and Eritrean ppl.ANESRU LIJAMAHIR,AWET NHAFASH WDQET NKORAKUR,
FINALLY WOULD LOVE TO SAY:KAB SAENKHA ZEY HSHUS BEAKHA YWAALU!!
Asmarino September 24, 2011
Abdi (Somali dude),
Don’t stick your stinking nose where it doesn’t belong. This is an Eritrean affair.
abdi September 25, 2011
Kbeki do kshq?Calling urself asmarino doesn’t make you an eritrean ya agame,exactly as u said its eritrean affairs,slezi luqotakha tesekimka guday mlmanka gber,kserh ‘ie entelka kae guday listrokha kab eritrawyan rhq eilka anadi,
Wedi_senita September 24, 2011
The opposition should leave their bit of differences aside and focus on the main problem. PIA is brutal and dictator whose sick experiment is destroying the very fabric of our nation.
Imagine how many thousands of lives are being wasted every other day this sick person is in power. No one wants to live in Eritrea any longer. The dream in Eritrea has become just ESCAPING from; day in day out!!!
The opposition should be hard and fast among each other to quick save our nation from the appalling situation.
Thank you,
Taddesse T Gebremussie September 24, 2011
Well don
Taddesse T Gebremussie September 24, 2011
Esayas it is the end of his speach like his freid GADAFFEE.
Aderesso September 24, 2011
A change that comes with the help of Ethiopia is a change that we can not sustain and defend in our own or it will be an Ethiopian puppet regime that follows ethiopian orders and the probability of compromising asseb. Welcome back to colonization of 21st style.If we can not defeat our own brothers who we think are doing harm to our country,in our own, we should not even raise the point fighting Finally, 20 organization with the same slogan. 20 parties one idea for change, some thing is wrong, may be 20 future dictators are in the making.
danny September 25, 2011
I agree hundred percent with you.To many opposition groups and too many differences among them.
Any change comes with the help of Ethiopia as you said it will be well come back to colonization. No matter what
do not trust, do not trust, do not trust tegaru (people from tigray).
wogahta September 26, 2011
Well said Bro! we all know that the country of eritrea needs change now than ever before! But what kind of change?? An Ethiopian puppet government?! See what the so called ”Eritrean Intellectuals” have to say after their recent “conference’ in Addis! They all seem to care for the down fall of the PFDJ regime no matter what the result might be! As the eritrean saying goes ” kelbi si zibelia siga ember ab riesiu zela hakli neyrie ”. Who can forget what the woyanes have done to the civilian Eritreans living in Ethiopia in 1998?! who would believe now that they are determined to bring about democratic change in Eritrea ?! Is there any really Eritrean, who cares for the well being or Eritrea and Eritreans, who is naive enough to believe that any intervention of Woyanes is for the benefit of Eritreans?! If there is a geniune interest to bring about change in Eritrea, It should come from Eritreans only! IF Ethiopians think they can help us to bring a democratic to Eritrea, we politely ask them to exercise it in their own country first!!! Becouse it is true, as the saying goes , ‘ Kiserkeni zireakiwo si kimelseley neyamino
gasha September 24, 2011
Habtom Yahannes left the oppostion in addis abeba for the simple fact that he doesnt want to lie about drought in eritrea like the others who signed the petition.
Tedros September 24, 2011
you are a bunch of morons.
Ghermai September 24, 2011
Messege to the so called intelectuals -1st of all none of you can run your own life,I will be darn you can run the lives of Eritreans or the country. I am ashamed of you all to go to Addis discuss with enemy, this is if you are true Eritreans. Ethiopians killed Eritreans and destroyed Eritrea for over forty years,how could you forget this and say Ethiopians are our brothers.you have no respect for Eritrea in the whole,nor for those who have passed away to liberate Eritrea. You are a bunch of free loaders and air heads.
Weldit September 24, 2011
Compared to his previous speechs, I acually thought PIA gave a good speech.
He wasn’t as combative as he usually is, he was more diplomatic with his words, he didn’t attack the United States as he usually does, and the order of his topics was reasonable: he started with the overall world affairs, then went to Africa, then to East Africa, and finally to the Eri-Ethio border issue.
So I would grade his speech with B+.
Senait September 24, 2011
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