Preface
- Introduction
- Problem formulation
- Theoretical analysis
- Formulas for reconciliation
- Solutions
- Conclusion
- Appendix
Introduction
Document for reconciliation
''Before you jump and haste to find a solution, the best and
the wisest to do is to admit that you have a problem.''
Do we have problems to come together? Let's identify them
and find solutions once and for all. I hope by working
together we can arrive to a workable document that
brings harmony and happiness before it becomes to late
in our age. Even if we could not reach to direct reconciliation,
let's talk about laying a solid foundation for talking about
reconciliation.
Following, I am going to present the working document,
I presume would receive recognition for further discussion.
And will be worked out to be the document of the Eritrean family
for reconciliation among Eritreans. The procedure that seems
appropriate are: First to identify the problems and then
to forwarding suggestion for solutions. It has to be
understood that, my aim is to let it open for critics and
all sorts of modifications so that at the end it would be
the work of all concerned for reconciliation. The main
objective of reconciliation has to be for the main actors of
the conflict that is the Eritrean government and the
opposition groups. If we succeed to bring these antagonists
to reconciliation the supporters will be easily come together.
The differences that has to be sorted out and thoroughly
examined for lasting solution could be categorized as
differences in political, economical and social problems.
1.1 Political differences:
Political differences in Eritrea can be categorized
in 3 stages. Pre armed struggle, during armed
struggle and post armed struggle.
1.1.1 Pre armed struggle
The political differences among Eritreans
at that time were based on the issue to be
part with Ethiopia or to be independent.
There was not conducive condition at that
time to discuss frankly. There was fear and
mistrust between the independence
block and the unionist. In fact, non of them
tried genuinely to convince the other about
their choices. At that time, may be ignorance
to be blamed. Because the capacity of
analyzing and convening ideas were poor in
terms of media and finance.
1.1.2 During armed struggle
The political difference was dominated by
the difference of ELF and EPLF. There was
no room for understanding each other. The
elimination of one by the other culminated
in battle field. But left scars even to date. It
brings wound by simply itching it. The politics
of the Eritrean people at that time was to be
independent, but for the armed groups ideology
and world outlooks were of fundamental
antagonism. The clash of ELF and EPLF was
beyond the wishes and aspirations of the Eritrean
people. The Eritrean people had not
the capacity to deal with these armed groups at
that time, but history is going to judge them
for the sufferings and insecurity created by their
intransigent to reconcile and bring harmony,
security and stability. Happiness has never come
to the Eritrean people due to the die hardness on
their stand.
1.1.3 Post armed struggle
The hangover of the political difference of ELF
and EPLF still dominates to this date. Their
difference is power sharing. The EPLF has
transformed itself to a ruling government and
the ELF continued to be opposition groups in
exile. The ideology and world out looks of the
government and the opposition groups remain
to be mystical. As both of them are capable
of silencing either by black mailing and giving
names or by naked liquidation of an opponent.
Any how, they are masters of controlling the
innocent overwhelming majority of the Eritrean
People. Why the other do not accept the opponent
is mysterious to the Eritrean people. There was
mistrust during the armed struggle and still exists
this mistrust nowadays. Why are they mistrusting,
it is beyond the capacity of the ordinary people
to understand it.
Generally speaking the Eritrean people didn't
showed political difference to this date. Except
to follow the political difference of the groups.
From what said above, the Eritrean people could
have showed a better and accommodated political
difference, if the political groups could for a brief
time give chance to the Eritrean people to exercise
its independent politics.
1.2 Economical differences
Economical differences that can be of interest for
analysis could be categorized by geographical,
religion and Eritreans in Diaspora.
1.2.1 Geographical
The wealthy to be found in towns are handful
with no political bases. They don't have the
capacity or the organization to be influential
in Eriterean politics. Past conditions
created sympathy between the poor and the
rich to remain together and work against the
common enemy. To this date there is no
antagonism between rich rulers and their
subjugates in Eritrea. The urban and rural
difference in economics is not visible to
this time in Eritrea.
1.2.2 Religion
In Eritrea no body can claim that a society
of one religious community is subjugated
economically by the other. Naturally in
Eritrea it is pleasant to make business
comfortably leaving aside religion to be
an individual case.
1.2.3 Eritreans in Diaspora
Economically Eritreans abroad are well
established than inside in Eritrea. But to
speak of influence in Eritrean politics,
the guilty consciousness of not participating
in the armed struggle is to be considered as
handicap. The participation of the Diaspora
in the Eritrean say can not go further than
subordinate to the internal polices.
1.3 Social differences
The transformation of the Eritrean society from one
stage to the other is affected by the situations created
on process pre armed struggle, during armed struggle
and post armed struggle.
1.3.1 Pre armed struggle
The Eritrean people was standing up by
its feet to establish a normal life after
suffering subjugation by long colonial
times. The political atmosphere was not
favorable. Never the less, there was a
struggle for existence as a people. Literature
was developing and cultural renovation was
on blooming. It didn't commenced to matured
state thanks to the interruptions by the Ethiopian
colonizers. The Eritrean identity cemented for
existence as a people in opposition to obstacles
waged by the Ethiopia colonizers.
1.3.2 During armed struggle
Apart for the ugly conflict of the ELF and EPLF
groups the Eritrean people struggled to preserve
its identity and worked hard to up held its society
to change and modernizing itself against all odds.
In this aspect the Eritrean people was completely
victorious.
1.3.3 Post armed struggle
There was hope that the Eritrean society to
transform itself to be modern and develop
within a short period of time. To the
dismay of all Eritreans the hang over of the
conflict of ELF and EPLF in addition to the
aggression of Woyane has become a great
obstacle to progress.
2. Problem formulation
In this topic the main interesting problems to be
challenged are the problems we face in communication,
command and control.
2.1 Communication
The dominant factors on focus are language and culture.
2.1.1 Language
Officially in Eritrea the language the ordinary
people uses in its daily life can not be considered
to be as a problem. However, taking in consideration
the number of the language used and the number
of the people, it has to be taken as a burden. For this
little tiny land in horn of Africa how Eritrea is going
to afford to please all its society is going to be seen
in future.
The language used in Diaspora is of great concern.
Nowadays communication system demands the
use of English language which do not accommodate
the over whelming majority of the Eritrean people.
In this regard, our conveying message to our people
is very poor. Most of our messages are to few
privileged Eritreans of no influence at all in our
society. That is why we became unsuccessful to
convince the over whelming majority of our people.
The above obstacle can be challenged as a problem.
2.1.2 Culture
The communication by culture of a society differes
in many aspects. Especially the old culture from
the new culture.
2.1.2.1 Old culture
It was based on respect to each other and was
dogmatic to change. The Eritrean people was
used to be called gentle and wise in treating
and accommodating the Eritrean Society.
2.1.2.2 New culture
The present situation is to dismay to our people.
Mainly because of too much hatred and insult
to each other. Especially the traditional respect
to each other is deteriorating to its lowest level.
All this is to be blamed, not to the Eritrean
people but to the political groups who are
engaged to self promoting advantages rather
to the dignity and peaceful coexistence of the
over whelming majority of the Eritrean people.
These political groups have moral obligation
to remedy these wounds and they have to bear
all responsibility of the Eritrean peoples failure
to live as one respected and dignified people.
The communication at this stage is very
alarming situation that needs great attention.
People are forgetting the humane dignity and
are simply forwarding their political groups
ambition at the expense of the Eritrean people’s
dignity. This could be treated as a grave problem.
2.2 Command
The command of interest are militarily and civil.
2.2.1 Militarily
Eritrean soil cannot accommodate more than one
military command. Except the legitimate
government military all other armed movements
are to be condemned. No excuses to be found for
forming military presence in Eritrea. The command
of the military will not have the right to interfere
in the civilian command. It only exercises defending
the country and participating in helping the
civilian at catastrophe situation.
2.2.2 Civil
Civilian command are for administration and
planning for the daily life of the population.
It is mandated by the people for the people.
2.3 Control
The direction of development and the over all
activities of the daily life of the country has to be under
civilian government control. The roll of the military will
be to enforce law and order by the command of the
civilian administration.
3. Theoretical analysis
Eritrea now finds itself to be in safe hand. The existing
government is proven through hardships and difficulties
to be genuine leader of the country. For the above achievements,
we praise and admire the gallant fighters for independence
and for those who still are sacrificing for our existence. It is
hard won independence and it deserves to be protected. Taking
in consideration historical events of some countries and
realizing the present conflicts and chaos around the world it is
worthy to pay attention to future events and come to sense the
necessities of precautions to be taken. If today is good no body
can guarantee that tomorrow or after tomorrow will be the same.
It is here the genuinely of a population weighs. It is from here
that somebody begins to ask what will happen if the existing
government fails to fulfil the basic necessities of the people.
Here after we are going to analyze the worst two cases.
3.1 Military coup
Strong military leaders disappointed by wages or living
standards rushes to control government offices and install
transitional Government by proclaiming the usual golden
promises and defaming the existing government for failure
and mal practices. We know that they would not be better
than the previous government, but by pointing the barrel
of gun may try to convince us that 2 + 2 =5. We will not
have the chance to resist them but possibly with
demonstrations or clandestine activities we try to show
them our opposition.
3.2 Military upsurges by opposition groups
We know that the existing opposition groups heralded that
they temporarily suspended military engagement against the
existing government. As time goes on and the disappointment
of the people coincides with the demand of the opposition
groups, it is possible that the so called opposition groups to
disturb the normal life of the country.
4. Formulas for reconciliation
The quarrel of Eritreans brothers and sisters is always a damage
to Eritrea. Imagine all the disappointed opposition groups to
reconcile with our governament. Doctors, engineers and other
proffesionals to use their knowledge to the best of Eritrea. The
time spent to write insults and all ugly revenges to be converted
to the best things for Eritrea. The manpower, money and
know how which is drained in America, Europe, Middle East
and the Sudan to be used in Eritrea. Is it affordable for Eritrea
to lose all these golden resources. The answer is NO.
Something has to be done so that Eritrea to benefit. The
Following are merely to indicate how compromise is
Imperative to lasting solution for reconciliation.
4.1 Eritrea to be multi party country with out delay.
4.2 Opposition groups outside the country to be completely
condemned and the groups that work outside the country
to be illegal and those in defiance to the law who gets
support and do activities in foreign country to be judged
even in absentia.
5. Solutions
Believing that Eritrea to be a multi party country and all Eritreans
accepting the existing government and abiding by the law and
regulations of the country.
5.1 The Eritrean governments obligation will be:
5.1.1 To built trust and confidence: The Eritrean
government has to allow all opposition groups
to freely inter and exit the country.
5.1.2 To declare that an Eritrean could not be imprisoned
because of his or her political opinion and in
difference with the government.
5.1.3 Exercise unrestraint full expression of opinion. That
includes of opening offices for political parties.
5.1.4 The Government to call a genuine conference that
keeps the dignity of the opposition groups and to
give chance to every individual and collective leaders
of the groups to discuss the issue of the country with
the president of the country. That includes the
acceptance of the national charter drafted by the third
congress of EPLF by the opposition groups and the
government to accept for amendments to the charter
by the opposition groups.
5.2 The opposition groups obligation will be:
5.2.1 To condemn, as every Eritrean has to do that any
activity against the country in foreign soil to be
punished as treason and crime against the mother
land.
5.2.2 Those who wants to participate in the political
arena to go back to Eritrea and establish themselves
there.
5.2.3 Openly and in precise words to condemn forming
political parties based on religion, clan, race and
region.
6. Conclusion
Working together is only the viable and reliable solution to our problems.
Biting each other at the throat will only prolong our suffering . We suffered
enough not because we lacked the better standard of living but because we
happened born to be naturally Eritrean. To give chance life to correct its due
course to the Eritrean people, if we are handicapped to contribute let us
be generous enough not to be an obstacle.
I still believe that unless and other wise proved to be wrong,
In Eritrea, the future solution is political parties and not political groups.
Based on the above understanding, the reconciliation that can be worked
out is to transform the political groups to political party. It means the
groups outside Eritrea has to completely abandon forming political
groups and ask to returnee safe to their mother land and work together
to the best of Eritrea. On the Eritrean government side learning
from history shows us that no opposition groups to be undermined.
Once popular government can become unpopular as time goes on
and once small groups becomes popular when people came to be
be feed up with long standing government.
In Eritrea reconciliation among the political groups and the Eritrean
Government can be achieved if we the people of Eritrea pushes
the antagonistic groups to be flexible on their stands. What we
need is stability and unity of one country, Eritrea. I believe we
have a civilian government who has the mandate of its people.
Somebody could ask me how do I prove that the Eritrea
Government have overwhelming support of its people. It is
easy to prove it. If the Eritrean people do not support a system
it simply gives a bluff to the system. The Eritrean people when it
supports a system it expresses it by getting out to streets and
dances of joy. I don't think there is better expression than that.
We need the existing government until Eritrea transforms
to stable situation. Until that we have to begin to conquer all
constructive means to accommodate our differences and be ready
to live in harmony. In conclusion, if the reconciliation we are
looking for is between the different political groups and the
Eritrean government, then the above defined political groups
has to stop the activities they are waging outside the country.
7. Appendix
7.1 Definitions
Political groups can be defined as a group of people disappointed
by a political system that do not represent them. These groups
takes every means to replace the system by what it represents
their wishes. Political groups can be formed outside the country
and can receive all support from outside the country. They can
open offices every where whetherit is clandestine or freely that
seems appropriate to their activities. Most of the activities of
political groups are outlaws. Reconciliation in this case can
be facilitated by foreign offices and by the support of third part.
It is tragic a country to fall in such situation. Because the
consequences are in most case destructive, bloody and difficult to
reconcile. Political groups antagonizes to bitter end with the opponent
And they are not adamant to working together on constructive manner.
Unfortunate countries like Eritrea faces such dangers. Because most
of the political groups are rigid and die hard. The other aspect is
political party. Political party can be defined an organization with
transparent program as an alternative to other system of government.
Political parties can not open offices outside the country and it is
crime to be financed by foreigners. Political parts are lawful. They are
obliged to work together with the opponent to the best of the country.
Especially in crises time, political parities are flexible to save the
country.
7.2 Axiom
The chance for reconciliation is at the hand of the government
and the opposition groups. And there is a gun and a bullet on
one side and cake and champagne on the other side. It is their
choice either to pick up the gun and blew up the chance for
reconciliation or hard work with tolerance, respect to each
other and accept as pre requisite that includes to all of us
to accommodate differences and become champion of
reconciliation by slicing cake and pouring champagne.
Tesfamicael Yohannes
Oslo, Norway
