A forty-five day course of political indoctrination was held in Nakfa in August and September to 600 participants drawn from various government, party and army units.   The presenters include Mr. Zemehret Yohannes, Mr. Abdella Jaber, General Sebhat Ephrem, Mr. Hagos “Kisha” Gebrehiwet, Ms. Leul Gebreab and President Isaias Afwerki.

Instituted in late 2004 when the government adapted the “preserving our values” slogan, the cadre sessions are used as political re-education to individuals considered of questionable loyalty or independent streak.  According to our sources, Zemehret Yohannes sets the tone that provides the bulk of the theory and analysis with emphasis on “our strategic enemies and allies.”  The others present their orientation reinforcing the message that the EPLF (now PFDJ) has faced similar and worse challenges and overcome them and the concluding remarks are given by Isaias Afwerki.

In the last session, Zemehret Yohannes explained that the PFDJ “was not forced to draft a constitution, but we did it of our own will; similarly, we opted for political pluralism in 1987 long before it was fashionable to advocate pluralism.”  This is not newsworthy since most PFDJ senior leaders have made the same claim at one point or another; what is notable is that Zemehret Yohannes is now explaining that the delay of political pluralism in Eritrea is further proof that PFDJ is committed to political pluralism: “we will decide the timing.”

Asked about the scarcity of affordable housing while Diaspora Eritreans continue to buy houses in Eritrea, Hagos “Kisha” Gebrehiwet retorted: “How else would we secure the dollars that we need? I don’t think the urgency, in the current circumstances, of earning hard currency is lost on anyone.”

For his part, Sebhat Ephrem gave his favorite sermon, the fable of “David vs Goliath” to reinforce the message that Eritrea, though small, can prevail over Ethiopia.

As is customary, the last day of the seminar was reserved for President Isaias Afwerki who, according to attendants, was in “fighting mood and got even more irritable as the session progressed.”

President Isaias Afwerki opened his session by stating “newiH kmdr aideln ye” [I don’t want to make a lengthy speech] then went on to speak for over two hours.  He told his audience that, “rather than theorizing about redundant issues”, he would talk about one ‘simple idea’ which he summarized as:“Timali Shaebia, lomi Shaebia, tsibah Shaebia!” [Shaebia yesterday, Shaebia today, Shaebia tomorrow!]

He then went on to describe Shaebia/PFDJ as a reliable, strong and durable vehicle that serves its owner through thick and thin. “It may need some oiling, changing of a nut here and a bolt there; it may get a dead battery and therefore need to be pushed for some distance.  But,” he added emphatically, “it will never be replaced”. “WE WILL NEVER BUY A NEW CAR. As far as I am concerned, Shaebia is irreplaceable.”

In the question-and-answer session, one of the questions dealt with the quality of education in Eritrea and “the situation of university graduates” and other professionals who are still serving in the army, even though they had completed the required years of service, and whether these would soon be reinstated to their positions in ministries and other public institutions. This was enough to set the already irritable Isaias Afwerki into a fury:

“This talk about graduates and educated people is rubbish”, he fumed. “Who said we need people of high academic credentials to do our job?” he challenged his audience. He continued: “We have a clear vision; and we have well-defined programmes. All we need is people who work hard. And make no mistake”, he warned his stunned spectators, just in case there was anyone who still doubted PFDJ’s superior talents, “Ab hzbawi gnbar, nai Hade meraH mesrE nai mHdera bqAt le’li naiti MBA zellewo mhur ye bahalai iyu”, [the administrative skills of any of our platoon commanders outclass those of an MBA holder.]

Shortly after his session in Nakfa, President Isaias Afwerki was on a “tour” to the Southern region in mid September where, according to state media, he was giving “directives” for effective agriculture.  In a follow-up meeting with villagers, he was asked of the whereabouts of a large number of parents arrested for failing to have their children report to Sawa military training.  Said the president, “Ezi tblwo zelekhum, ane bzAb’u zfelTo yebelyn. [I know nothing about this issue.]